INTERESTING SPORTS FACTS

Where does the word “soccer” come from?

In the 1880s, students of Oxford University abbreviated words by adding “er” to the end; for
instance, breakfast became “brekkers” and “rugby rules” was referred to as “rugger.” When
one student, Charles Wreford Brown, was asked if he’d like to play rugger, he was the first to
Beyond the incredible
N
abbreviate “association rules” (Football Association rules) by answering, “No, soccer.”

ongriat Village a small hamlet situated in

the Southern reaches of the East Khasi Hills came
An F1 car is made up of 80,000 components, if into prominence due to a unique double-decker
it were assembled 99.9% correctly; it would still living root bridge. Despite shortcoming in its
India did not go to the
start the race with 80 things wrong! transport and communication this area has been
1950 world cup in Bra-
An average F1 driver loses about 4kg of weight zil because they did not well maintained by the inhabitant’s. Stretching
after just one race due to the prolonged expo- have football boots. from the base of the famous Nohkalikai falls
sure to high G forces and temperatures for over in the North to the southern reaches of Shella
an hour. a prominent border town. There are some 80-
100 houses inhabited by the War- Khasi people
who constitute as one of the sub-tribes of the
Lennox Lewis was asked why he did not sign a contract with Don King after winning the Olympic mainstream Khasi race. The living bridge which
Gold medal, his response, “How can you trust a man who can talk for 5 minutes and you can’t adorned their tiny hamlet is a symbol of great feats
understand a sentence of it?” of bio-engineering procured from yesteryears. Out
of all the living bridges which are found in their
In a championship fight in 1954 Jimmy Carruthers and Chamrern area the double-decker bridge stands out from the
Songkitrat both boxed barefoot! It turns out the bout was held rest. This village attracts and also caters to visitors
outdoors and a tropical rainstorm started before the fight. Instead from within the country and also from abroad with
of canceling the bout both fighters removed their shoes to fight all this to offer Nongriat Elaka is definitely every
since the canvas was too slippery to fight with shoes on. nature lovers dream come true.
How to get there
1. Drive from Shillong via Cherrapunjee
Cricket is the second most popular team sport in the world and is played in over 130 countries. via Saitsohpen via Mawshamok via
FLORA AND FAUNA Tyrna via Lumsohphi - 2 ½ hours
drive/ 72 kms from Shillong
Vanda Coerula 2. From Lumsohphi via Nongthymmai
Football has also been a reason for war between two South During World War Dendrobium
American countries. During the second North American village up to Nongriat one has to
II, a bomb ripped Cymbidium Devinianum cover 5000 steps down hill ( hours
qualifying round for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, heavy through Centre Rhododendron
rioting took place during the match and heavy tension walk)
Court at the All Eng- Migratory birds
came to the fore between El Salvador and Honduras. land Club and 1,200 seats were Leopard cats
Later, the Salvadoran army launched an attack against Accommodation
lost. Fortunately, they weren’t filled Barking deer 1. Four bed-room guest house (on twin
Honduras. “The Football War” (La guerra del fútbol, in at the time. Play finally resumed in Flying squirrel
Spanish), also known as the 100-hours War, was a five- sharing basis) @ Rs200 per head per
1946 but it wasn’t until 1949 that night
day war fought by El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. the area was back in top shape. 2. Porter charges for luggage @ Rs200

The last Olympic gold medals
that were made entirely out of
gold were awarded in 1912.
12 August 08
Facilities
BEST TIME TO
Animals That Have Disrupted A Cricket Match 1. All meals are basic and are on per
VISIT
1. 1889- A Pig stops play when it runs across the pitch head basis (vegetarian and non-
October- April Fax nos: 0364-2226054 vegetarian available)
2. 1936- A Sparrow stops play when a ball hit it in midflight, and killed it.
(Light woolens are Deputy Director 0364 2502166 2. Guide services for visitors @ Rs200
The Sparrow is currently on display at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
recommended) Tourist Officer: 0364 2500736 per day(Camera’s extra)
3. 1957- A Hedgehog stops play when it runs onto the field. The fielding
www.meghtourism.gov.in
wicketkeeper carries it off the pitch.
4. 1957- A Mouse stops play. Its schoolboy owner runs onto the field to
retrieve it with his hat.
5. 1962- Bees stop play. Players evacuate the pitch and flee to the pavil- Issued by:
ion.
Directorate of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya
Nokrek Building, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong- 793001