The Kohima District Football Association successfully conducted the 3rd Kohima District Grassroot Championship at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Saturday.
KOHIMA — The Kohima District Football Association (KDFA), under the aegis of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), conducted the 3rd Kohima District Grassroot Championship on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) in Kohima.
In the Under-15 category, Young Star FC emerged champions while Tsieyama finished runners-up, with Nourhevi Rhutso of Kohima Sports Club receiving the Golden Glove and Kekhriengulie Kuotsu of Young Star FC winning the Golden Ball.
G Rio School Kohima won both the Under-13 and Under-10 titles, defeating Khelo India Centre (KIC) Kohima in both finals. Mhasizhalie Suokhrie (KIC Kohima) and Isisappi Guing (KIC Kohima) won the Golden Glove awards in the Under-13 and Under-10 categories, respectively, while Manentoshi Aier and Thejaphrezo Mere of G Rio School Kohima claimed the Golden Ball awards.
Roko Angami, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) and Treasurer of the NFA, attended the inaugural programme as the special guest.
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Addressing the gathering, Roko commended the KDFA, led by its President Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome, for its efforts in promoting football among young boys and girls through the grassroots championship. He said grassroots football forms the foundation of the sport by nurturing talent from an early age while instilling values such as teamwork, discipline, hard work, and sportsmanship.
Describing sport as a universal language, he said football brings people together irrespective of background, where commitment, discipline, and the desire to give one's best are what truly matter. He urged continued support for grassroots football for its role in shaping lives, creating opportunities, and uniting communities.
Highlighting the initiatives of the Department of YRS, Roko stated that the department continues to create opportunities for young athletes through programmes such as the Baby League, the Grassroot Football Tournament, zonal school Pre-Subroto tournaments, Inter Khelo India Centre tournaments, the Women's Futsal League, and the State-level School Pre-Subroto Tournament.
He also noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the state government has developed more than 30 futsal grounds and several artificial turf grounds across Nagaland, while many more football facilities are under construction.
Encouraging the young footballers to make the best use of these opportunities, Angami stressed the importance of discipline, self-control, hard work, and consistent practice.
The championship concluded with a culmination programme attended by Kevineiü Sekhose, Councillor of Kohima Municipal Council Ward No. 10, as the guest of honour.