Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 14
The defending champions Barak FC, Peren will take on Khulioh King FC, Tuensang in the final of the 16th NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy tomorrow (October 15) at Kohima Local Ground.
Barak FC made their entry into the final of this year’s edition after they overcame Senapati FC, Manipur 2-0 in the semifinal, while Khulioh King eased into the final after they trounced Pro-Streax United, Dimapur 5-1 in the second semifinal.
The Tuensang team will go all out to stop Barak FC from defending their title. The defending champions, led by their skipper Tingyek Konyak, have a formidable line up, whereas the debutant Khulioh are no lesser with some swift players in their squad.
Khulioh King signaled their entry into the tournament as one of the favorite contenders after their convincing win against Katakhrie by 7-1 in the preliminary round and 6-0 against 10th NAP (IR), Thizama, while the Barak FC exceptionally has been the team to watch all throughout the month-long tournament.
The players to watch for Barak FC will be Tingyek Konyak, Kekhrie Tsira, Sanyem Salym and Nzauhutbo Nbung, while the key players for Khulioh King are Nungsang Ao, Bei Khiamniungan and Ratobe N.
Entering the final match, Nungsang Ao who have equaled Pro-Streax United player Meren’s record as the leading scorer of the tournament, will be one attraction for the spectators at Khuochiezie. Both Meren and Nungsang, who scored five goals against Pro-Streax in the semifinal, have 10 goals each to their credit. But with one match to go, Nungsang has the advantage to become the highest scorer of the tournament.
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 first prize is being sponsored by the Naga Students’ Federation, while the second prize is sponsored by Akho Neikha, proprietor, Theja Service Station, Peducha, Kiruphema.
Mention be made that the two losing semifinalists and the four losing quarterfinalists also got Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
Attractive prizes have also been set aside for individual categories such as - Player of the Tournament, best defender, best custodian, best midfielder and highest scorer.
A total of 63 teams with 1134 players participated in the month-long tournament.
Out of the 63 teams, 49 teams were from Kohima district, 6 from Dimapur, 3 from Peren, 2 each from Phek and Manipur and one from Tuensang.
The NSF Martyrs’ Trophy is organized by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) under the aegis of the Naga Students’ Federation, in memory of late Kekuojalie Sachü (Kohima village) and late Vikhozo Yhoshü (Kigwema village), who laid down their lives for the cause of the student community in 1986. The tournament is annually held under theme “Goal for peace”.
The closing ceremony will commence at 1 pm with Neiba Kronu, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Coordination, as the chief guest.
Adding colour to the tournament, the grand finale will also have the presence of Larcsing M. Sawyan, managing director of Lajong FC, Shillong, as the special guest.
Larsing Sawyan, who will be accompanied by two of his club officials, will also hold a meeting with the interested coaches of the 63 teams, prior before the final match at 12 noon in the ground. This was informed by the organizing committee convenor, Vipopal Kintso.
Other highlights of the closing function includes; prayer by Apostle Rev. Luoliehu Yimsong, while runner-up AIR Northeast singing contest, Visedelhou Terhüja will entertain the gathering with special number.
The convenor further informed that the price of gallery tickets for the final match would be enhanced to Rs. 50. He, however, said that a raffle draw would be arranged with the gallery tickets which will have ten attractive mobile phones for the prizes, including an Android Smart Phone.
