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Our Correspondent
Jakhama, Feb. 22 (EMN): The 59th Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA) annual games and sports meet commenced on Monday at Jakhama local ground in Kohima.
The sporting disciplines include football for men and volleyball for women. 11 villages took part in the football competition, which was played on knockout basis while eight villages competed in volleyball conducted in league format.
Kidima hammered Mitelephe with a comprehensive margin of 10-0 in the first match while Phesama defeated Khuzama 3-1in the second match of the day at Jakhama.
Kidima trounced Kezo Basa 8-0 while Phesama thrashed Kezo town with 11-0 in the third and the fourth matches respectively.
With the win, Kidima will lock horns with Phesama in the first semi-final match at 9 am at Jakhama local ground.
Meanwhile, Viswema beat Kezoma 4-0 while Kigwema defeated Mima by a solitary goal in the first and the second match respectively at John GHSS ground at Viswema.
However, Viswema had to bow down to Jakhama in the tightly contested third match
as they lost the game with a goal deficit in the penalty shootout after both sides ended in a 1-1 draw.
During the tie-breaker, the scoreline stood 4-3 in favour of Jakhama which received bye in their first match. Winning the match, Jakhama will clash with Kigwema in the second semi-final match in the home ground of the former.
Meanwhile, out of the eight playing teams, Kezo town is the only team to enter into the semi-finals of the women’s volleyball competition after winning their third straight match played at Jakhama local ground.
Winning twice each, Phesama and Kigwema will clash with each other in the second match on Tuesday at the venue.
In order to remain in the race for the final semi-final slot, Kidima, which has won once, will have to win the last league match against Mima, which is scheduled to commence at 9 am at Jakhama.
Earlier during the day, Kevithuto Sophie, SP of Kohima while formally declaring the tournament open as the inaugural guest, urged the players to retrospect the stand of the Southern Angami region in the past in order to move ahead stronger with more unity and understanding.
Stating that government job has already been saturated despite many qualified and educated youths in the state, he underscored the need to master the art of any kind of living other than government service.
Also considering the present scenario, the police officer has laid down emphasis on the scope of the games and sports through which one could earn one’s livelihood. As such, he reminded the budding sportspersons to polish their talents and excel in their respective discipline with the aim of making sports as their profession.
Sophie reminded the sportsmen and women to play sports with utmost dedication and not just as a hobby so that they can transcend even beyond the state level while citing example of various players from neighbouring states who are playing at reputed national and international tournaments.
Rokovizo Meze, president of SASA, informed that through the two-day meet, players will be selected to represent the region in the forthcoming Angami Sports Association (ASA) meet scheduled to take place next month.
Thepfüzhü-o Viswentso, athletics and games secretary, SASA, administered the oath to the players.
The completion kicked-off with the invocation prayer by Koleto John Richa, catechist of Jakhama town Catholic Church.