BN Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship
Dimapur, November 7: The 65th edition of BN Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship –2016 kicked off under the drizzle of an unceasing November rain as Nagaland Police outclassed ten-man Railway Protection Force 3-0 to win a thrilling opening encounter here at Chumukedima, Police Complex on Monday.
The preliminary league rounds of the tournament concluded on Saturday. Monday’s match between Nagaland Police and Railway Protection Force marked the official beginning of the championship.
The match resembled a rugby game instead of football as the players were unable to control the ball or their movements. The heated match, at the slippery ground, also witnessed raining of yellow cards during the encounter.
The rain outwitted the Railway team as Nagaland Police registered the first goal in the 4th minute through Sanyem, after the ball deflected off a railway defender and sneaked past the keeper.
Even though the first half saw the first red card for the Railway, they had better possession but their counter-attacks failed to breach Nagaland police defence.
In the second half, Railways dominated the game with 10-men and the team hit the woodwork twice but failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Nagaland Police broke the RPF defence again as the referee gave a penalty for a foul inside the area in the 53rd minute. Kekhrieletuo seized the opportunity and with ease, he slotted the goal.
With the weight of two goals on their head, Railways didn’t give up as they continued their counter-attacks, but hope was all gone when the third goal was conceded and Limakumzuk scored in the 72nd minute.
Earlier, chief minister TR Zeliang inaugurating the tournament said for police personnel, games and sports are not merely extra-curricular activities but are integral part of fitness and discipline.
“While it is your duty to give your best efforts to win every match you play, it is also your duty to play fairly, and in the true spirit of sportsmanship,” a press release from the CMO stated.
He encouraged the football players and those associated with the sports to have a pride and satisfaction in being members of the worldwide football fraternity.
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Players in action during the first match between Nagaland Police (red) and Railway Protection Force at the BN Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship at Chumukedima, Police Complex on Monday.[/caption]
Zeliang also urged the players to contribute their best towards further advancement of this most popular sport; and to try to play fair and exciting games throughout this tournament.
One of the stars to watch out in this tournament is IM Vijayan who is playing for Kerela Police, a former professional Indian football player. Playing in the striker position, he also formed a successful attacking partnership with Baichung Bhutia for the Indian national team in the late nineties and early 2000s. Vijayan was crowned Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999, the first player to win the award multiple times. He was also awarded the Arjuna award in 2003.
Nagaland is hosting championship for the third time, the earlier ones being in 1999 and 2008.
Nagaland Police has lifted the coveted trophy at Lucknow (UP) in 1997, and reached third position in 1989 (Jaipur), 1996 (Shillong), 2002 (Dergaon) and 2004 (Kerala).
Altogether, 39 police teams from various states /union territories and central police organisations are participating in the championship. The tournament will witness 76 matches, quarters, semis and a final for the championship.
The teams are divided into 8 groups and the matches are being played at 4 grounds within the Police Complex at Chumukedima namely NAPTC Stadium, 1 NAP Ground, PTS Ground and Sports Complex Ground.
