The 26th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy kicks off in Kohima with 22 teams, as D Block Youth Organisation wins the inaugural match.
KOHIMA — D Block Youth Organisation defeated Ward 19 in a tie-breaker in the inaugural match of the 26th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy, which kicked off at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), Kohima, on Friday evening.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time, before D Block Youth Organisation secured the win in the tie-breaker. Kikruvizo of D Block Youth Organisation was adjudged Man of the Match.
The tournament, featuring 22 teams, will continue till December 3. Organised by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) in memory of Lt. Kekuojalie Sachü and Lt. Vikhozo Yhoshü, it is being held in support of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and in collaboration with the Hornbill Festival.
The next matches are scheduled for November 14, with Mez & Co FA taking on Kidima Farmers United at noon, followed by KPMT against United Brothers FC at 2 pm.
Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer, attended the inaugural ceremony as the special guest. Addressing the gathering, he said the tournament was more than a sporting competition and served as a tribute to the memory and sacrifice of the two martyrs, who lost their lives during a peaceful protest on March 20, 1986.
He said what began as a memorial tribute had grown into one of the prominent and widely recognised open football tournaments in Nagaland and the Northeast. Referring to this year's theme, “Goal for Peace”, Longkumer said it carried significance beyond the football field and reminded people that peace, unity and mutual understanding must remain collective aspirations.
In his solidarity speech, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the tournament was an occasion to honour the two martyrs. Recalling the circumstances surrounding their deaths, he said the NSF had called for a protest against the introduction of the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre in Nagaland and the extension of the disturbed area from 5 km to 20 km along the Indo-Myanmar border.
He said the NSF had rejected the proposals of the state government, following which police personnel opened fire on a gathering of students at Alichen. The sacrifice of the two students, he said, continued to remind the Naga people of the importance of unity.