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Zale Neikha inaugurating the U-14 ‘catch them young’ tournament at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Tue. Sep. 25. (DIPR)[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 25: The inaugural programme of the 11th U-14 state level ‘catch them young’ tournament got underway at Hall ‘A’ at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Tue. Sep. 25 with advisor for department of Youth Resources and Sports, Zale Neikha as the special guest.
The department is organising the event in the discipline of football for girls and badminton for both boys and girls at the stadium.
A report from the DIPR informed that Zale encouraged the students from all district and said ‘Nagas have the ability to excel in sports but many a times due to wrong selection potentialities of cannot be explored up to expectations.’ He cited the example of Manipur who are much ahead in the field of sports although everyone has the similar physique.
The advisor called on the students to be very careful in selecting the sport mentioning that’ nothing can substitute hard labour’ and informed that the present government will be looking into construction necessary infrastructure and accord top priorities for the development of games and sports in Nagaland.
Director of Youth Resources and Sports department, Akumla Chuba, in her welcome address, said that the department is trying to create an atmosphere to nurture the upcoming young talents.
She quoted the example of Dr. T Ao who was a doctor by profession and at the same time captained the Indian football team in the 1948 Olympic. She advised the students to know how to manage and use time properly.
While having a telephonic conversation with
Eastern Mirror, the department’s deputy director, Dovo Chase, said that the tournament will continue till Sep. 27. He mentioned that 286 players, including ten female football teams along with badminton players from all the districts are participating.
According to an update from Chase on day-1 football match, Kohima team defeated Phek 6-0 while Zunheboto team defeated Tuensang 6-0. Further, Kiphire defeated Longleng via tie breaker.
The day-2 of the tournament will be conducted on Sep. 26. The first football match will be played between Mon and Wokha at 7 am and the second match will be played between Kohima and Dimapur at 9 am.
The badminton match will start at 9 am. A mixed team championship final will be played between Mokokchung and Kohima followed by an open championship, quarter, and semi-finals.
The deputy director also mentioned that cash prizes and certificates will be distributed to the winners. He said that outstanding players in the field of football and badminton shall be selected for induction into the sports academy to represent the state in the upcoming national school games.
