[caption id="attachment_277907" align="alignnone" width="550"]
Young players selected by Bhaichung Bhutia Football Academy with YRS department officials during the 12th Inter District Catch Them Young Tournament 2019 held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima from October 16 to the 18th.[/caption]
Dimapur, Oct. 18 (EMN): A total of 15 players from Nagaland have been selected by Bhaichung Bhutia Football Academy for training during the three-day 12th Inter-District Catch Them Young Tournament held at IG Stadium Meriema, Kohima.
An update from DIPR informed that the tournament, which started on October 16, concluded on Friday. Football Scouts, Nikhil and Sumit selected 15 players consisting of two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three attackers for training at Bhaichung Bhutia School Delhi. It added that coaching for the coaches will be held starting from October 21, and further four coaches will be selected as part of the team.
Special guest of the closing ceremony and secretary of YRS, Alun Hangsing, said that sports helps covercome physical challenges and gain focus in life. He added: "Games and sports keep us healthy and fit; it has become integral part of education; challenges in sports helps a person to face challenges in life. A real sportsperson accepts defeat in spite of putting one's best effort and helps built characters."
Hangsing maintained that sports as a career is bright and rewarding but one should involve in it not only for career but to be healthy.
According to director of YRS Akumla Chuba, Catch Them Young Tournament started in 1974 with the motto “Catch them young and teach them right” with only football and athletics but the department has taken the initiative to include wrestling, boxing, badminton and taekwondo in the coming years. She said the department will tap the best talents of sportspersons from the districts for further training.
Dimapur district got most medals with five gold, two silver and three bronze, informed the update. In boys’ football final, Kiphire defeated Tuensang by a lone goal.
A total of 290 participants, including 215 boys and 75 girls from eleven districts took part in the three-day sports tournament.
