Mokokchung inter-ward football tournament underway

Our Correspondent

Mokokchung, March 25 (EMN): The first Mokokchung Inter-ward Football Tournament organised by Youth Association Marepkong got underway on Mon. March 25 at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex.

In the first match, Kumlong defeated Kichutip 3-0. All the three goals were scored in the second half of the match with Mayangnungba scoring in the 40th and 49th minute and Yimkumer in the 47th minute.

The second match saw Lijaba Lijen ward humiliate Sungkomen by a margin of 5 goals to nil. Arennungsang of Lijaba Lijen scored a hat-trick in the 18th, 28th and 58th minute.  The remaining two goals were scored by Takosunep and Sungitlong.

In the third match, Limasungkum of Tongdentsuyong Ward secured a hat-trick and triumphed over Sangtemla 3-0.  Limasungkum scored his hat-trick in the 38th, 44th and 59th minute.

The fourth match saw the organising team Marepkong suffering a huge loss to Yimyu by 0-3. Scorers of Yimyu are Limanukshi, Imnasashi and Moazulu.

The last match of the day saw Artang defeating Alempang 1-0. The lone goal for Artang was scored by Imsentoba in the 14th minute.

Earlier, in the inaugural programme, the special guest R Ayim Longkumer, President All Ward Union Mokokchung encouraged the players not take this platform as a battlefield but a training ground to climb the ladder to professionalism.

He asserted that this tourney should give more privilege to the local players to groom and mould their team and sportsmanship spirit and other essential qualities that are required for players to excel in their field.

“Primary should before the development for sportsmen qualities and secondary should be victory,” he asserted.

The president of MDFA, Meyisanger Lemtur also spoke at the event.  He said football is in our blood and Naga have a rich history of breaking boundaries and going far beyond our dreams playing just barefoot.

“We are still the same Ao Nagas, what was achieved by our fathers before us…we too can do it and take it further and to greater heights,” he challenged the players.

He further said that no matter which ward we are from, we all call Mokokchung our home and let us play the game for peace and unity with an aim to bring all wards of Mokokchung together in football and friendship.