IMPHAL, Jan 25: The Republic Day Football Tournament organised by 33 Assam Rifles of Loktak Brigade under the Red Shield Division concluded today at Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School ground with Phubala Football Club wresting the title with a solitary goal defeat of Modern ideal Youth Club, Thanga.

The closing ceremony of the tournament marked the coming together of the people of Bishnupur, Nonei and Gothal on one platform involving sports and culture in which Manipur has became a model for other states, expressed a PIB (DW) release.

While the ‘Peace and Harmony Meet’ showcas-ed the varied cultures, the final football match display-ed the sporting talent.

The event also witness-ed many enthusiastic men, women and children cele-brating the genius of sports and rich culture.

The ceremony began with the address by Comdt 33 Assam Rifles Col Naresh Bhardwaj who welcomed the chief guest Commander Loktak Brigade Brig Laove Verma, and other distin-guished guests along with the people who had come in so many numbers and traveled long distances.

Addressing the gathe-ring, Brig Laove Verma spe- cially appreciated the rich sports and cultural heritage of Manipur and conveyed resolve of the security for-ces in fostering these aspe- cts of Manipur continuou-sly.

He gave away the prizes to both the teams, as well as incentives to all participa-ting teams of the tourna- ment, including the offi-cials. To add to the gran- deur, a Band display by 6/8 GR comprising of brass and wood wind instruments such as Trombones, Clari-net, Saxophone and Car- nets, was organized reflec-ting the regalia and the splendor of the Army.