Principal Correspondent
Kohima, October 1
One of the students’ favourite soccer tournaments and prestigious 15th edition of NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy organized by Naga Students’ federation (NSF) in memory and honour of the student martyrs’ Late Kekouzalie and Late Vikhozo commenced here in the Local ground with Chief Minister TR Zeliang gracing the inaugural function as the chief guest. Playing a closely contested inaugural match of the tourney runners-up of 2014 edition, Naga United Club (NUC) defeated United P.K. Football Club Viswema by 2-0.
The first half of the match ended in with neither sides managing to break the deadlock of goalless draw while the second half the action with Kezevi Chaya of United PK being penalized with a yellow card which was followed by referee Meyieto cautioning NUC player Letkhokai Kuki.
It was in the fag-end of the stipulated 70 minutes that Keneisediele brought home the first lead. He scored the goal in the 67th minute which was immediately doubled by skipper Velukho Rhakho in the next minute confirming the end-time win for last year’s runners-up. However, referee had to penalize Keneisedele with a yellow card for unsporting behavior in the 69th minute.
Earlier, addressing the football fans, Chief Minister Zeliang said despite the love for football of Naga people, the game has been largely disorganized, and players mostly untrained.
“It is through the exposure and competitions provided by this kind of tournaments, that our players will be encouraged to be better trained, disciplined and organized to participate in higher tournaments at regional and national levels,” he maintained.
Expressing that the state boasts of having contributed the first captain for the Indian Olympic Football team, in the person of Late Dr. Tali Ao, he sincerely hoped that in the coming years, Nagaland will see even more improvements in the standards of this game, and more people will be taking up football as a profession, and means of livelihood.
“Football is a multi-billion dollar sports,” he said while expressing the hope that Naga footballers will be able to do equally well as professional football players from Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya have been doing in major football clubs of the country.
Meanwhile, he expressed that sports infrastructure is certainly an area of concern in Nagaland, one that needs to be urgently addressed, in order to provide sportspersons with the right facilities to train and attain higher levels of proficiency.
He said the despite the constraints of funds, the Government is working hard to try and provide basic infrastructure in all the districts. Zeliang therefore urged the youngsters to take a fresh look at the opportunities that the fields of sports has to offer, identity and assess their own strengths and capabilities, and give the best they have to reach to higher levels of performance and proficiency.
NPS president Tongpang Ozukum delivered the presidential address while convener organizing committee Kezhazer Angami shared the key-note address.
The champions of the tournament, which will go on till October 24, will receive cash award of 1,60,000 with trophy and citations while runners-up will bag Rs. 1,00,00 with trophy and citation. Two losing semi finalist will get Rs.20,000 each while Rs.10,000 each will be given to the losing quarter finalists. Various individual awards have been earmarked for the tournament.
Today’s matches
Headwinds FC
vs
Invictus FC Lerie
Mima Students’ Union
vs
Troy FC Nagabazar Kohima
Barak FC Peren
vs
Allianza FC Kohima
Koubru Students’ Union Manipur
vs
Theledze FC Zapami, Pfutsero
