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Kezhazer Angami, convenor (2nd from left) and organising committee members during the press conference at ASU office below AIR station, Kohima on Tuesday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, Sep. 13 (EMN): The 18th Edition of NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy organised by the Angami Students’ Union will begin on September 26 until October 24 at Khuochiezie local ground, Kohima, under the theme “Goal for Peace.”
Kezhazer Angami, convenor, Organising Committee speaking to the media persons during the press conference at ASU office below AIR station, Kohima on Tuesday stated that the month long tournament is organised in honour and remembrance of late Kekuojalie Sachii of Kohima village and late Vikhozo Yhoshii of Kigwema village who were victims to the indiscriminate firings of the Armed Police from Alichen, when the students’ fraternity, on the 20th of March 1986, were on a peaceful duty call of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) to register Nagas resentment against the state government’s decision to the extension of Disturbed Area Belt from 5 KM to 20 KM along the Indo- Myanmar border and against the induction of Indian Police Service (IPS) cadres into the state of Nagaland.
In exercise to honour and keep alive the sacrifices made for the Naga, by the two Martyrs and to be the living vanguard in protecting the clone of the younger generations the Angami Students' Union, started the herculean task of organising the Martyrs' Memorial Trophy. Starting off in the 80's the "Lt. Kekuojalie & Lt. Vikhozo Memorial Trophy" was played annually, but participation was confined only to Angami students' fraternity.
From 1992 onwards, at the behest of the NSF and the general public, and also to bestow the memorial trophy in a wider prospective the trophy was converted into an Open Football Tournament with the nomenclature "Open NSF Martyrs' Trophy'.
However after All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AZSU) won the trophy for three years consecutively (1993-1995), the trophy went into their possession. Thereafter, a new trophy for the tournament was procured by the ASU and the nomenclature for the same was changed into NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy with the theme “Goal for Peace”
ASU informed that the entry forms are available at the following outlets: Kohima: Sports World (Main Town), Star Sports (BOC), Sports Paradise, Kezieke and ASU Office. Dimapur: Master Graphix, Super Market (09774532237) and Akholie Bakery (Bito Complex) Chumukedima. Mokokchung: Chord, MTBA Basement, Opp Mokokchung Police Point (09436212786) Phek: Desktop Printer near DRDA Office, Phek Town (09862109605).Manipur: The Garden Kitchen, 1st Floor NPO Building Senapati Bazaar (8794470802).
The winner of the tournament will walk away with a cash prize of Rs. 1, 60,000/- and runner-up to get Rs. 100,000/- respectively along with running trophies. The third and fourth prize carries Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively. Losing quarter finalists will each get Rs. 10,000/-. Individual awards such as player of the tournament, best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder, and highest scorer including best discipline team to be awarded.
ASU is expecting around 60 teams in this 18th edition. The tournament will be played on knock-out basis in all stages of the tournament and the last date for submission of form is September 20.