Mahadeo, 12th August, 2025: To commemorate World Elephant Day, Wildlife Trust of India organized a two-day Mongma (Elephant) Cup Football Tournament at the Mahadeo Playground in collaboration with the Mahadeo Police Station, Meghalaya Forest Department and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Hill Council and in partnership with the Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. The event brought together 16 teams from across the region, creating a lively atmosphere filled with sportsmanship and community spirit. Distinguished guests, including Ms. Nazia Marak, IFS, Director of Balpakram National Park, South Garo Hills, and Mr. Tangseng Sangma, Headmaster of Mahadeo Upper Primary School, addressed the gathering. They spoke about the vital role elephants play in maintaining forest biodiversity and emphasized the need for collective action to conserve wildlife. Both speakers encouraged the public to actively participate in conservation initiatives for the benefit of future generations. The tournament concluded with an exciting final match between Nekora Village and New Rompa, where both teams delivered thrilling performances. Ultimately, Nekora Village emerged as the champion by scoring goal in the last minute.

Mongma Cup 2025 – participants

On the first day of the programme, over 500 people including students from Mahadeo Adhoc high School, Mahadeo Upper Primary School, Warima Kona Upper Primary School and Ilatuli SSA upper Primary School attended the event, creating a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere. The final day saw an even greater turnout, with more than 600 spectators from across the Mahadeo area gathering to witness the match. This reflected the community’s keen interest in both the football tournament and the conservation awareness activities. During the closing ceremony, Mr. Tangseng N. Sangma, Headmaster of Mahadeo Upper Primary School, expressed his appreciation to the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) for organising such an impactful event in the Mahadeo area. He acknowledged the importance of blending sports with conservation awareness and encouraged WTI to conduct similar programmes in the future, as they not only entertain but also educate the community on pressing environmental issues.

Dr. Sandeep Kr. Tiwari, WTI’s Chief of Conservation said “Football is an amazing sport to connect with the youth and community in the Garo Hills. This event helped convey the message of forest protection and elephant conservation, while inspiring the youth in joining the conservation initiatives”.

Ms. Tindha Ch. Marak, Rangtangsora Nokma, said, “This type of awareness programme is the first of its kind in this region, and I am very grateful to be a part of it. I wish WTI success in its future endeavours.”

Winners of Mahadeo Mongma Cup 2025 | Photograph by Tesangsilga

While speaking, the captain of Nekora Football Club, Mr. Sengseng Sangma, appreciated WTI and said, “Through this awareness and football tournament, we have learned about the importance of elephants for forest diversity, and I assure my support for conservation efforts in the future.”

WTI’s Garo Green Spine Project team has been working with the local community for more than two decades now, to connect the fragmented forest patches located between the West Garo Hills and Nokrek National Park and to establishing an unbroken wilderness link with Balpakram National Park.