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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 10 (EMN): The Southern Angami Students’ Union (SASU) Open Futsal Tournament 2021 kicked off at Jakhama Local Ground on Friday with the theme 'Rise as one'.
Meyiesul Chaya, PS to Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, was the chief patron of the sporting event.
In his address, Chaya told the gathering that sports should be taken up as an industry. He called upon the society to change the mentality and approach about sports by stopping to visualise it as a mere hobby or recreational activity; rather focus on its merit.
He said that sports can be an alternative way to put oneself in the bigger picture, earn fame and glory, like education that imparts knowledge and shapes a person's life.
While appreciating SASU for the innovative concept of bringing about oneness through sports, especially football lovers to keep the passion alive while exhibiting the idea of oneness and brotherhood, he asserted that the present Naga society stands at a crossroad. He said that young people have lot to learn, offer and give back to the society.
Further, Chaya urged the youth to step out of their comfort zone and apply the concept of “dignity of labour”, stop being selfish, and rather motivate one another for a transformed Naga Society.
Earlier in the programme, SASU president Zhovito Rikha said that the tournament was organised with an aim to bring about togetherness and keep team work and sporting spirit alive.
He, however, lamented that the society is entangled with 'ism', and called on the youth to be the agent for oneness and rebuild the society by retrieving the lost value.
Viravoto Seleyi sang a song at the programme chaired by SASU Vice President Letso Mekro, while Catechist of Catholic Church Jakha Town, Kolito John Richa invoked God's blessing.
A total of 48 teams from Southern Angami areas and Kohima town are participating in the two-day sporting event which will culminate on Saturday.
The champion of the tourney will walk away with INR 30,000, while the runners-up will get INR 15,000 and INR 3000 each for the two semi-finalists. The top scorer and best goal keeper will be awarded INR 1500 each and the player of the tournament will receive INR 2000.
In the inaugural match of the tournament on Friday, 10 September 2021 Jakhama Town Youth Society defeated Khami United 5-1. The final match of the tournament is scheduled to be held at 3:30 pm on Saturday.