Sumi Aphuyemi Games and Sports Association (SAGSA) defeats SASCA 4-1 to win the 1st Intra-District U-23 Football Tournament at District Sports Council Ground in Zunheboto.
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DIMAPUR — The Sumi Aphuyemi Games and Sports Association (SAGSA), Pughoboto Area, emerged victorious after defeating the Satakha Area Culture and Sports Association (SASCA) 4-1 in the final of the 1st Intra-District U-23 Football Tournament held at the District Sports Council Ground, Zunheboto, on March 14.
The tournament was organised by the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) in collaboration with the Zunheboto District Football Association (ZDFA), according to a DIPR report.
Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Chairman of the DPDB Zunheboto, Toiho S Yeptho, attended the occasion as the guest of honour. Addressing the gathering, Yeptho encouraged the young footballers to remain dedicated and disciplined in the sport.
He stressed that football is not only about winning matches but also about teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship. Citing examples of legendary footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona, he said their success came through hard work, determination and an unyielding passion for the game.
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He urged the players to learn from such global icons and strive to improve their skills through regular practice and commitment. Yeptho further expressed hope that tournaments like this would enable talented and outstanding players from the Zunheboto district to compete in the Dr. T Ao Trophy and represent the district with pride.
He encouraged the youth to view football as a platform to showcase their abilities and bring recognition to the district. Highlighting the importance of sports in youth development, he noted that tournaments like the competition help nurture local talent and provide opportunities for young players to gain competitive experience.
He also urged players to maintain discipline on and off the field, underlining that true sportsmanship lies in respecting teammates, opponents and officials.
Altogether, six teams from the Zunheboto district participated in the tournament. The prize money included INR 75,000 for the champion, INR 50,000 for the runner-up, INR 25,000 each for the two semi-finalists, and INR 10,000 each for the participating teams.