NAMSA reiterates stand on HMIR issue; says chapter closed

Nagaland Adventure & Motor Sports Association (NAMSA) has once again reiterated its stand on the issue raised by participant Ms. H. Lemei Phom, car No.166, navigated by Ms. Bendanglila with co-passengers Ms. Rongsennenla Phom and Mr. Bendangwapang Jamir at the recently concluded Hornbill International Motor Rally (HIMR).

It said that the claim of the “all-ladies” prizes being published and “later changing it did not happen”.
A NAMSA press statement signed by its president Vikishe Shohe and general secretary Thungde Imlong said that since HIMR was “officially declared closed” with the completion of the prize distribution ceremony, the appeals platform and “period of protest” were also closed after “following all formalities and codes” and they, therefore considered “this chapter closed”.

NAMSA clarified that a publication of “provisional results takes place after the completion of the rally” wherein the position of every participant who completed the rally was mentioned in order of “standings”.

NAMSA said that in the overall position, the car No.166 finished 23rd, however, the team was “not eligible for any prize” in the all-ladies category as it had “a male participant”. The participants could not be considered for any award under the all-ladies category even if the team might have “finished ahead” of other all-ladies participants in the overall standings, said the statement.

The press statement further added that there was no such prize as “best couple in the male category” that exists in this event as claimed. The award which the team from UK won was “best international team” and this award had “nothing to do with the gender of the participants” although it comprised of a lady and a gentleman, the press statement clarified.

NAMSA said there were other cars which included “male and female participants” but they were “not considered for the all-ladies prizes”. It further clarified that that ceremonial prizes like “oldest driver”, “best navigator of north east”, the “all-ladies prizes”, “best international team”, “best decorated car”, etc., were “not published” in the provisional results but were  announced only during the prize distribution ceremony.

The association also reminded that “car No. 166 had a false start and was red-flagged”, therefore her time was not recorded in the autocross category and her claim of finishing first in the autocross just did not arise.