Lady Keane College wins first ever bol bearing race at Kharang 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 1, 2022

Lady Keane College of Shillong on Saturday bagged the first ever Khasi Hills Challenge 1.0 championship held at Kharang village, about 40 km away from here.

The Lady Keane College defeated rivals Shillong Momo Flavours and Annie Margaret Barr Children’s Village as they won the second and third positions in the corporate event of the maiden wooden kart race.

Organised by the Kharang Sports and Social Welfare Club to celebrate the state’s 50th statehood year and the club’s 50th anniversary, the ‘bol bearing race’ is the first of such race in the country to promote local indigenous sports and is being supported by the department of Sports and Youth Affairs.

Apkyrmen and Prishon were at the wheels for the winning team clocking 4.33 minutes and were closely followed by the Shillong Momo team (5.1 minutes) and the AMB Children’s Village team (5.4 minutes) respectively in an off road track which is 600 meters long, according to the organisers.

Tata Frank Motors team clocked 5.51 minutes and AMB School team clocked 5.56 minutes and were placed in 4th and 5th positions followed by Shillong Press Club team (5.59 minutes) and Frank Yamaha team, they said.

In the men’s open category, Arbokstar and Bikres won the first prize and took home Rs 20,000 completing the track run in a record 4.26 minutes while Phroidamon and Badapmon bagged the first positions in the women’s open category.

In the mountain bike challenge (XCO), Shillong Press Club’s Kevin John Khyllait won the first prize (1.52 hour) to complete the 26km trail while Gilbertson Wahlang (1.55 hour) of South West Khasi Hills district and Pynshngain Lyngkhoi (1.57 hour) bagged the second prize and third prize respectively.

Khyllait, hailing from Longki Ingding of Eastern West Khasi Hills district, was sponsored by the Shillong Press Club for his races this year.

The ‘ka bol bearing race’ was also organised to promote the use of sustainable and environment friendly indigenous sports and in all over 50 enthusiastic participants took part, Banjop, the club’s adviser and spokesperson said in a statement issued here.

Indigenously designed wooden karts are found across the length and breadth of the Khasi Jaintia Hills and these wooden karts have been the environment-friendly workhorse of the people since time immemorial, he said, adding that organizing such an event is to promote the use of eco-friendly and fun karts among the youths.

Earlier, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, who flagged of the Kart race appreciated the Club and their initiatives and pledged the government support in the upcoming Khasi Hills Challenge 2.0.

Kharang village sordar (chief) Langbor Nongpluh flagged off the MTB event and over 30 participants including 5 women, registered for the maiden race.

According to the Club, the trail for the MTB XCO event has been designed with a lot of technical spots and riders have to be extremely cautious.

“It is one of the best in India and even better that the recently concluded MTB national event held at Pune,” Kevin, who also represented the state at the event, said.