Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 15
The 16th edition of the NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy will kick off Wednesday at Khuochiezie Local Ground, Kohima.
A total of 63 teams with 1134 players would be vying for the coveted trophy which will conclude on October 15. 49 teams are from Kohima district, 6 from Dimapur, 3 from Peren, 2 each from Phek and Manipur and one from Tuensang.
The tournament is being organized by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) under the aegis of the Naga Students’ Federation in memory of late Kekuojalie Sachü and late Vikhozo Yhoshü, the two martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of the student community in 1986.
The winners of this year’s edition will fetch a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh sixty thousand along with trophy, while the runners-up will receive prize money of Rs 1 lakh. The losing semifinalists and quarterfinalists will also be given a cash award of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.For individual awards, the ‘Player of the Tournament’ will receive a Scooty, while attractive prizes have also been set aside for other categories such as - best defender, best custodian, best midfielder and highest scorer.
From the first round till the pre-quarterfinal matches, the duration of the match would be 70 minutes, while the duration of the matches from quarterfinal onwards will be 90 minutes. Under a tie, the match would be extended for another 30 minutes and further to the tiebreak if there is still a tie after the completion of extra time.
The opening function would be graced by Y. Vikheho Swu, Minister for Roads & Bridges and former president NSF (1993-1995), as the chief guest.
Highlights of the inaugural function includes invocation by Kedo Peseyie, pastor, City Church Kohima, welcome address by Dievi Yano, president, ASU, keynote address by Vipopal Kintso, convenor Organizing Committee, solidarity message by Subenthung Kithan, president, NSF, special numbers by Baptist High School and Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima and oath taking by Vizokho Zashümo, secretary, Games & Sports, ASU. The programme would be chaired by Neizokhotuo Belho, former general secretary, NSF.
As a tribute and honour to the two martyrs, there will be laying of wreaths and unfurling of flag at NSF Martyrs Park before the kick off.
Meanwhile, the organizing committee members have requested all the schools in Kohima town to attend the inaugural function which will commence at 1 pm.
In the first match tomorrow, the defending champions Barak FC Peren would take on Boys United FC Chiechama.
SEQUENCE OF THE WINNERS
1992 Tankhul Students Union (TKS)
1994 All Zeliangrong Students Union
1995 All Zeliangrong Students Union
1996 All Zeliangrong Students Union
1998 Kohima Village Students ‘Union
2000 Naga Boys Club
2002 Tankhul Students Union (TKS)
2003 Naga Boys Club
2004 Rongmei Youth Club Dimapur
2005 Puliebaze Club
2006 Naga Boys Club
2007 Nagaland Police
2008 Nagaland Police
2009 Excel United
2010 Nagaland Police
2011 Lamkang Students union
2012 Life sports FC
2013 Nagaland Police
2014 Barak FC, Peren
