Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 7 (EMN): Defending champions Headhunters FC blanked Tholevi FC 3-0 in the inaugural match of the 22nd NSF Martyrs' Memorial Trophy, organised by Angami Students' Union (ASU) on the theme "Goal for peace," on Friday night at IG Stadium in Kohima.
Skipper Haotingmang Thomsong, Pursunep and Samson scored for Headhunters, a team of the 164 Territorial Army stationed at Jakhama.
Tholevi fought hard but failed to convert the opportunities only to bow down to Headhunters at the end.
Thomsong was awarded the player of the match.
Earlier, gracing the tournament, Kuzholuzo Nienu, MLA and leader of NPF legislature, expressed regret that Nagaland couldn't produce more Olympians besides Dr. T Ao and Chekrovolu, even after 58 years of statehood.
"It is a matter of shame and embarrassment that we could produce only two Olympians," he said.
Nienu emphasised on the need to do thorough research as to why Nagaland sportspersons still lack behind.
He wondered whether they are lagging behind because of the lack of support from the government or due to lack of commitment, dedication and discipline.
He cited example on how they can learn a lot from the neighbouring state of Manipur when it comes to games and sports.
Nienu stated that Manipur has around 5000 registered footballers in the international and national levels and that recently, seven footballers from the state were selected to take part in the FIFA U-17 women's world cup in the 21-member squad.
He also made a reference to Bala Devi, a woman from Manipur who was the first Indian woman footballer to play for a European club in 2020.
The legislator reminded that only taking part in competition or tournament is not good enough anymore. "We need dedicated, committed, sincere men and women to excel in games and sports," he said.
Zekuseto Natso, convenor of the organising committee, while sharing a brief history of how the martyr's memorial trophy started, said the competition is organised in honour of the two comrades -- late Kekuojalie Sachü and late Vikhozo Yhoshü. Natso said the two were victims of indiscriminate police firing when the students’ fraternity on March 2, 1986, was on a peaceful rally to protest the extension of distrubed area belt from 5 km to 20 km along the Indo-Myanmar border and against the induction of Indian Police Service (IPS) cadres in state of Nagaland.
Natso, also informed that Shillong Lajong FC from Meghalaya, a reputed I-League team have confirmed their participation.
The ongoing edition of the trophy will go on till October 29 at IG Stadium, wherein the quarter-final matches till the grand finale will be night matches while the preliminary round matches will be played during day time.
Altogether, a total of 35 teams are competing for the coveted title including one team from Meghalaya, two teams from Manipur, four teams from Chümoukedima district, two teams from Phek district, and 26 teams from Kohima district.
The champions will receive INR 2,00,000 while runner-up will receive INR 1,20,000
The two semifinalists will receive INR 30,000 each while each quarter finalists will receive INR 15,000 each.
The best custodian, best defender, best midfielder and highest scorer will receive INR 10,000 each while player of the tournament will receive a two wheeler.
Besides, for every match starting from the kick off till the grand finale, there will be an award for the player of the match.
Earlier, during the day, ASU executives and seniors and few state legislators laid wreaths at the NSF Martyrs' Park.