Dr. T. Ao Inter-District Football tourney begins

Staff Reporter Dimapur, November 24 The 19th Dr. T. Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Tournament kick started today at DDSC Stadium, Dimapur with Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, NRE & Music Task Force, Khriehu Liezietsu as the chief guest. The tournament is being hosted by DDFA under the aegis of NFA. Addressing the opening ceremony, Khriehu Liezietsu said football is the most played and followed sports in the world today. And understanding the popularity of the game and realizing the fact that Naga youth have the potential to excel at any level, the state government, through the department of youth resources and sports, after consultation with various sports associations prioritize football under the Nagaland Sports Policy, said Liezietsu. The chief guest expressed pleasure at the fact that three Naga boys have been selected to undergo special training at Goa for selection to Indian team for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will be held in India in 2017. The performances of Naga boys in junior level have been very good but the senior level has not been able to shine due to poor sports infrastructure, he lamented. To address the issue, the department of youth resources and sports is contemplating to upgrade the Indira Gandhi Stadium at Kohima and DDSC Stadium, Dimapur with specialized and modernized infrastructural facilities, disclosed liezietsu and further added that the department is also taking up with the Ministry of youth affairs and sports for early completion of multi disciplinary sports complex (MDSC), Dimapur. YRS is also set to implement the newly launched Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) wherein sports developmental activities both infrastructural and tournament are to be taken up at all the 74 RD Blocks of Nagaland, he informed. Khriehu also congratulated the Nagaland Football Association for organizing Dr. T. Ao Inter District Football Tournament and appreciated NFA for promoting the great game of football in the State for the last 42 years. He complimented NFA for naming the tournament after the great Dr. T.Ao and added that Dr.T. Ao was a true son of the soil who brought great honour and glory not only to Nagaland and the North East region but to the entire country. He further mentioned that it is fitting that Dr. T.Ao Trophy Inter District Football Tournament is being held every year which serves as an inspiration to all sports lover to emulate the example of Dr. T.Ao and help the future generation sportsman to excel. Pastor DABA Rev. N. Tzudir invoked God’s blessing while welcome address was delivered by President NFA, Atuo Mezhur. Felicitation to late Dr. T. Ao family was done by the chief guest and oath taking ceremony was done by DSO Dimapur Nyuvitho Nguthe. The programme was chaired by Molongla Pongener. Phek overpower Mkg in opening match Staff Reporter Phek kicked off their 19th Dr. T. Ao Inter-District Football tournament campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mokokchung at DDSC ground, Dimapur Monday. Both the goals came in the first 10 minutes of the match. Senowe Khutsoh scored the first goal in the 2nd minute and seven minutes later Rhitsho Mero doubled the lead. Both the teams displayed equal dominance however, the early goals conceded by Mokokchung due to poor defending made the difference at the end of the day. After Senowe had given the Phek the lead, Mokokchung had an opportunity to equalize. But a superb free kick taken by Sakutemjen was kept out for corner kick by Phek custodian, Vekuto Puro. Rhitsho Mero doubled the lead for Phek after a spell of defending error from Mokokchung defenders. A one to one combination between Limakumzuk and Imkongtsohi narrowly reduced the margin for Mokokchung but the former shot went wide out of the target. In the second half of the match, a determined Mokokchung made some desperate attempts to breach the defence line up of Phek but failed leaving their score-sheet clean till the final whistle. Mokokchung keeper, Nungsang Yanger made a couple of brilliant saves. Phek will take on Mon in their next match on Tuesday while Mokokchung, after a day rest, will play Mon on Wednesday. In the second match of the day, Wokha and Zunheboto played to a 1-1 draw.