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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 8 (EMN): After a year’s gap, the stage is all set for the 21st edition of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) Martyr's Memorial Trophy at the Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima today.
The inaugural session will be graced by Manipur's minister for PHED and Printing and Stationery, L Dikho as special guest that will commence from 4:30 pm.
A total of 52 teams from across the state including two from Manipur are taking part in the month-long tourney that will go on till November 6, hosted by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU).
During the inaugural programme, Tribunal General of ASU Neizokhotuo Belho will chair the programme, while ASU president Bisevi Nakhro will deliver the welcome address and convenor of the Organising Committee, Dievi Yano will deliver the keynote address.
A solidarity speech will be delivered by the NSF President Kegwayhun Tep , tribute song will be presented by Thejasenuo Kire and Nourhengunuo Zatsu while another song will be presented by Thejakhrienuo Pienyü and prayer will be offered by Rev . Kedoulhou Shuya, Pastor of Meriema Baptist Church.
Meanwhile, the oath for the tournament will be administered by the secretary of Games and Sports of ASU, Thejalhoukho Thomas Khawakhrie.
The champion of the tournament will take home prize money worth INR 2 lakh while the runner-up will receive INR 1.2 lakh. The losing semi-finalists will pocket INR 30,000 each and losing quarter finalists INR 15,000 each.
Besides, individual prizes - player of the tournament, highest scorer, best custodian, best defender and best midfielder will also be awarded.
It may be mentioned that the trophy is organised in honour and in remembrance of the two comrades late Kekuojalie Sachü of Kohima village and late Vikhozo Yhoshü of Kigwema village who were victims to the indiscriminate firings of the Armed Police from Alichen, when the student fraternity on March 20, 1986, were on a peaceful duty call of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) to register the resentment of Nagas against the state government's decision of the extension of disturbed area belt from 5km along the Indo-Myanmar border and against the induction of Indian Police Service (IPS) cadres into the state of Nagaland.
Over the years, this tournament has risen to a popular sporting event in the state as well as the region and perhaps, the 21st edition will be a first of its kind in the history of the tournament which will be played in an astroturf ground at IGS Kohima.
The inaugural match will be played between New Market FC and Phesama Youth Organisation.