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Members of Kohima Press Club and Classic Club pose for a group photo before the exhibition match at Khuochizie local ground in Kohima on Friday, November 22. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 22 (EMN): The Kohima Press Club (KPC) lifted the 12th Challenger Cup after defeating Classic Club Kohima (CCK) by a solitary goal in an exciting encounter at Khuochiezie local ground in Kohima on Friday, November 22.
The all important goal of the match came through the boots of Nchum Odyuo who slotted home the goal after an assist by midfieder Vincent Vimetha in the early 4th minute after the kick off whistle.
Riding on the only goal of the match, a defensive Kohima Press Club team prevented Classic Club Kohima from scoring any goal and held on to the 1-0 lead till the end of the final whistle .
It may be mentioned that KPC lifted the trophy after a gap of five years.
As part of the Classic Cup Silver Jubilee celebrations, the 12th Challenger Cup was played as a special edition. The Challenger Cup is an annual football exhibition match played between the two clubs since 2006 as a mark of camaraderie among the members of the two clubs. The friendly match is a regular feature of the annual premier football tournament Classic Cup, which is organised by the Classic Club Kohima.
Life member of Classic Club and MLA Dr. Chotisuh Sazo who played for Classic Club team handed over the winning trophy to KPC during the prize distribution ceremony.
Earlier, speaking during a short ceremony before the match, Alice Yhoshu, president of KPC congratulated the Classic Club members on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the prestigious tournament.
She also extended her appreciation to the club for the social service it have been embarking on since the inception of the organisation. “Besides many other activities, the one that stands out is you having organised the annual Classic Cup continuously since 1995, promoting the game of football among the youth,” Yhoshu added.
The president thanked the Classic Club for incorporating the Challenger Cup as part of the annual Classic Cup from 2006 onwards, strengthening the cooperation and friendship between the KPC and the Classic Club.
“Today, as we prepare to play this annual football friendly match once again in celebration of this friendship, we also remember our friends who are no longer with us -- Sahu Yiese, Vituolhoulie Belho and Zaselatuo of Classic Club and S Daiho Mao and Xavier Rutsa of KPC who had actively participated in the earlier editions of the Challenger Cup,” she said.
Yhoshu further hoped that the continued relationship between the two clubs will go on in the years to come.
