Penalty shootout tournament held in Longleng

DIMAPUR — A one-day penalty shootout tournament was held at public ground, Longleng, organised by the Longleng District Football Association on July 12, with EAC Longleng, C Tsalimse, as the special guest.

According to a DIPR report, Tsalimse, in his address, said that Longleng district’s football landscape has faced challenges, but recent initiatives offer hope.

He mentioned that the District Sports Council Longleng, led by the deputy commissioner, proposed a structured framework for sports development modelled after the Angami Sports Association. This proposal includes village-level competitions, with winners progressing to area, district, and potentially state-level events.

Noting that the new district sports officer has been approached with a proposal to recognise the Phom Sports Association, which could bring much-needed organisation to the district’s sports scene, he said that key to the success of this initiative will be the collaboration of all stakeholders and associations, he informed.

He added that the focus of such tournaments should extend beyond winning or losing, emphasising unity, brotherhood, discipline, and character-building among the people of Longleng.

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By coming together, he said, the community can foster a spirit of togetherness that transcends individual villages, ultimately benefiting the district as a whole. He also declared the tournament open.

President of the Phom People Council, YB Angam Phom, also delivered a short message during the programme.

Altogether, 27 teams took part in the tournament, where Muli Ward emerged first and Rockey Club Orangkong bagged the second prize.