Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 10 (EMN): Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), Zale Neikha on Tuesday told players to love the game they play in order to enjoy and live a happy life through passion. He was addressing the opening ceremony of the 6th Agape Cup 2022 -- National Christian Football Championship--- at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima, hosted by GethemGo Nagaland and organised by Sports Coalition of India.
He challenged the players to be self-disciplined, which he stated is important for a sportsperson as it will help them to focus and attain the ability to work towards achieving their goals without any distraction and be a winner.
He exhorted the players to work harder to refine their skills and talents which is a gift from God and to accomplish his plans for a person adding that they should glorify God with their talents and gifts.
Neikha also advised the sportspersons to maintain proper balance and diet, exercise to stay fit and active and also asked the players not to be a player for a day, weeks or season but a player for all seasons.
The advisor also urged the player to make the tournament a time for fellowship and develop leadership qualities beyond the trophy.
Earlier delivering the keynote address, Kennedy D’Silva, Convenor of Sports Coalition of India said the event is not only confined to football but to worship God through the talents He has given to the players.
He stated that the tournament is a preparation for the Indian team that participates in the global event with international teams in the fourth edition of Unity World Cup in December this year.
The Convenor also pitched hosting Unity World Cup in India and suggested organising it in Nagaland, which will have 18 teams including Brazil and said the event is not only going to promote Christianity but also promote tourism.
Director of GethemGo, Dr. Viposa Kiso delivered the welcome address and Khedi Baptist Church, Chakhesang Baptist Church, Rengma Baptist Church presented special songs.
A total of 11 teams -- Assam; Arunachal Pradesh; Tripura; Nagaland; Manipur; Goa; Karnataka; West Bengal; Jharkhand; Orissa and Kerala -- are participating in the championship that will culminate on May 13.