Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 13 (EMN): Kohima Town Club (KTC) is set to host Kohima Super Cup (formerly league) after a gap of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima from May 16 to the 31st.
A total of 17 football teams have confirmed participation for the Super Cup.
Organising Committee Convenor, Zedikuolie Kire, while addressing media persons in Kohima on Friday, informed about the change in the nomenclature of the tournament, which was called the Kohima Super League in the previous three editions. He said that the idea behind the change in the tournament format is to encourage participation of more football teams.
The organiser, Kohima Town Club, was formed in 2017 with about 40 members at present, to promote football in Kohima district and in the state. As per the format for this year's tournament, league matches will begin from the quarter finals onwards, Kire informed.
Kohima Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Kevithothu Sophie will attend the opening of the tournament as the special guest.
The winner will walk away with a cash prize of INR 1.80 lakh compared to INR 1.20 lakh in 2020. The runner-up of the tournament will receive a cash award of INR 1.20 lakh, while the semi finalist teams will receive INR 30,000 each.
Individual prizes for the best coach and best referee will also be introduced for the first time. Player of tournament will be awarded a sum of INR 25,000, while other individual winners including most promising player, best midfielder, best defender, best keeper, highest scorer will receive INR 10,000 each.
Co-convenor Kethozelie Liezietsu said that as Naga youth have talents, the non-profit football club is trying it's best to promote football and ensure that local players rise to the national and international level.
KTC has been training local referees by conducting referee clinics to enhance the quality of football referees and keep them updated with the latest law of the game. For the upcoming tourney, All India Football Federation (AIFF) football instructor Joy Chandra will oversee the referee board as the referee assessor.
KTC president Dr. Viketoulie Pienyü said that to improve football in the state, the sport must be promoted at the grassroots level. To also make it sustainable, there is a need for strong football club fan base, which will promote local football stars and to produce quality players, he said that there is a need for league matches in the state.
He further informed that after the tournament, a team of players will be selected and will play against national football players from Manipur for a football exhibition match on June 4.
Highlights of the tournament will be available on the popular YouTube channel Naga Manu Production.
Entry fee for the tournament starts at INR 50 and will increase to INR 100 from the semi final matches.
The 17 teams are - New Market FC, Crimsoune Club, Highlander's FC, Secretariat United, Hurricane Boys Phesama, United 4 FC, Sechü FC Academy, IGS XI, G.Sports FC, Barak FC, Wolves XI FC(U-19), A.Yhome FC, United Brothers FC, PRO-D-OG'S FC, Magdaline FC, Naga Brothers, and Aphuyemi FC.