Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 6 (EMN): A total of eight teams will vie for the 2nd Nagaland State Futsal Championship in the three-day event to be held at Reiphinyu Badze, Vurie, Kohima.
The championship is being hosted by Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) under aegis of Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Shanavas C, Deputy Commissioner and Kohima District Sports Council, will attend the inaugural function as the special guest, wherein president of KDFA Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome will deliver the welcome address and greetings will be shared by K Neibou Sekhose, President of NFA.
This was relayed through a press conference held at Hotel 2K in Kohima on Thursday evening.
Vice-president of NFA Kiyeka Sumi informed that for the first time, under the Central Management System (CMS) of AIFF and all clubs playing the championship are being registered under the Central Registration System (CRS).
The official said any team that emerges as the champion of the tourney will represent the state in the national championship.
Meanwhile, Roko Angami, Convenor of the Organising Committee, informed that the tournament will be played in a league match system, divided into two groups, and exuded hope that it will boost the young footballers.
President of NFA, Sekhose said the champion will receive INR 1 lakh, and the runner-up will walk home with INR 50,000.
He opined that the state has good scope if focus is given to futsal; the champion of the tourney gets direct entry into the national-level unlike the other trophies such as Santosh Trophy.
He also maintained that NFA is concentrating on the juniors and on grassroots such as the baby league.
It was informed that the timeline for registration was given till September 30, however only eight teams turned up despite giving seminars on CMS and CRS; the eight teams who had confirmed their participation were given access.
The teams participating in the championship are Aphuyemi FC from Zunheboto, Nimok Power from Phek, Proper-V FC from Mon, Vanguard FC from Tseminyu, Kesko FC from Dimapur, Zasivi FC from Kohima, G-Sports FC from Chümoukedima and Lenreng FC from Peren.
It was informed that the national championship is likely to be held in the first week of November in Delhi.