Awang Konyak wins online freestyle football competition title

Dimapur, May 31 (EMN): 16-year-old Awang Konyak won the second edition of the Nagaland online freestyle football competition, retaining the title for the second year in a row. The competition was organised by Naga Manu Production (YouTube channel) in collaboration with Kohima Town Club (KTC).

Meanwhile, Ruokuokholie Medom (GR Naga) was adjudged the  runner-up. The winners of the second edition were announced on Monday after participants went through two rounds of selection to choose the winner.

Following the first round, a board of jury chose the top five contestants, who were then asked to submit a one-minute video (unedited) to determine the champion.

The jury members, led by Punjab freestyler Aman Dhillon, state freestylers including state football coaches, senior players, and veterans, decided the winners based on five criteria -- all-round, inventiveness, execution, control, and difficulty.

The competition was held to encourage Naga freestylers by providing a platform for them to perform, an update stated.

The winners will receive a cash prize of INR 6000 and INR 3000 for first and runner- up respectively sponsored by KTC.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Taiwang Konyak from Mon district was awarded emerging youngster award and received INR 1,000 sponsored by goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu (Ryntih SC Club Shillong). His video crossed one lakh views to get the highest viewed video of the competition.

It may be mentioned that the youngest participant was 9-year-old Hangria Zeliang from Peren district and would receive INR 1,000 sponsored by Kelhou Suohu, proprietor of Touch Enterprise for event management.

It also informed that the winners would get a Naga Manu Production customised t-shirt to encourage the budding youngsters.

Apart from the two winners, Thungcheva Lotha, Aching Anns, and Merendo Jamir rounded the top five freestylers in the competition. During the two-week competition, the competition attracted over two lakh views on YouTube.

12 participants from different parts of the state, including Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Mon, and Peren, took part in this edition.