Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 13 (EMN): Methele emerged as the champion of the 3rd Open Penalty Shootout Tournament 2017 held here at Seikhazou (D. Khel Ground), Kohima village on Saturday.
The tournament was organised by Prodigies group under the aegis of Khedi Baptist Chruch Kohima with the theme “Innovating a stronger fellowship.”
Methele was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 (sponsored by Vuto Motors, Kohima) along with trophy and citation. Snipers bagged the second position and pocketed Rs. 20,000 (sponsored by NV Press Kohima). Zavi's Club bagged third positin and was awarded Rs. 10,000 (sponsored by Modicare, Kohima) while fourth place Shaleko FC received Rs. 5000 (sponsored by Active Station, High School, Kohima).
Leketoulie Liezietsu of Methele was adjudged as the best goal keeper award and received a gift coupon worth Rs.5000 from Active Station.
Earlier Khekaho Assumi, Parliamentary Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports (YR&S) graced the occasion as the chief guest for the inaugural ceremony. Addressing the players, he said there had been disconnection among the various tribal units in the state and suggested that the games and sports between various tribes would benefit the people. Besides promoting sports he said through sports “we can get to know one another, we can form that friendship, and when we know each other we can be together and be one.”
He also lauded the Aizawl FC for winning the I-league and said that the department had a meeting and had decided to visit Mizoram to see the model for having transformed the entire football scenario in Mizoram. He suggested that by June next month, few of the players along with the officials would be visiting Aizawl.
Kruyie Pienyü, Rtd. Joint Director, Land Resources department graced the occasion as the guest of honour for closing ceremony and gave away the awards.
Altogether, 32 teams participated in the tournament.
Prodigies Group consists of 15 members from Khedi Baptist Church Kohima, with a zeal for serving the Lord through various undertakings and charitable works.
Nagaland set to get new football grounds
The Khelo India programme under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will be constructing 100 football grounds, 10 indoor stadiums and 10 outdoor stadiums in Nagaland. This was stated by Khekaho Assumi, Parliamentary Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports (YR&S) during the inaugural ceremony of the 3rd Penalty Shoot-out Tournament at Kohima.
He said that through the insistence of Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, and intervention of the department, Khelo India programme under the flagship programme of Government of India for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has provided the various schemes and activities to Nagaland.
He said the latest detailed project reports were being asked to be submitted this month, and within three months it will be sanctioned. He hoped that the project will be fruitful and bring better infrastructure in the state.
Assumi also said that the department is on the radar to organise the first All Nagaland Futsal tournament in Dimapur or Kohima. He mentioned that the first meeting for the tournament by the department will be held by June to set the date and the venue so that the tournament will be hosted in June, July or August. The tournament will have two teams each from a district.