49th Angami Sports Association meet: CYO, SASA emerge champions

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 18 (EMN): Advisor for Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs Zhaleo Rio on Thursday shared that players in Nagaland were not fully “taking advantage” of the state government’s sports facilities which were made available for them. He added that their counterparts from the neighbouring states were forging ahead far beyond the North-east region and the country.

He was speaking as the special guest at the 49th Angami Sports Association (ASA) meet at IG Stadium in Kohima on Thursday.

He also mentioned that sportspersons were not “giving justice” to Dr. T Ao, the legendary Olympian who captained the Indian team to England in 1948 while the state is still basking in his glory without producing more players to follow his suit.

Reminding players that they should not take sports as hobbies and part of festivities anymore, he said that one can now take up sports as one’s profession and generate income out of it besides becoming national or international stars through games and sports.

Rio also asked the sportsmen and women to identify a specific discipline in which they are good at and be disciplined, committed and determined players. He added that successful sports persons were even being offered government jobs besides recognition and laurels.

Medo Yhokha, advisor for Technical Education and Election who attended the valedictory programme as guest of honour reminded the players that the “love of the game” over the years, has allowed them to reach thus far while exhorting them to pursue for ‘excellence with performance and meritocracy’.

While building their career as sportspersons, he asked them that the same sportsmanship they displayed on the field should be imbibed even off the field, adding that they should be the “ambassadors of their game” they have played.

Yhokha meanwhile stated that the PDA government leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, ‘a lot of developments in terms of policies and programmes’ specially for the youth are coming up, adding that “the days are very bright ahead” for sportspersons.

However, in order to avail such opportunities and platforms, he reminded the players to be respectful towards their team’s officials, mentors and others as these are the people who want to see the best in them and make them excel in their careers.

Four teams — Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA), Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO), Western Angami Youth Organisation (Wayo) and Northern Angami Sports Association (Nasa) – competed in football for men and volleyball for women

CYO beat Nasa 2-0 in the final of the football competition to emerge as the champions.

Playing a thrilling final match, CYO took the lead when Khriese Terhüja converted a through ball from Kikrukhrielie Kuotsu into the net to make it 1-0 over Nasa in the 11th minute of the game.

Nasa tried to make few attempts to find the equaliser but kept missing the goalmouth before halftime as Vilhoubeituo Yhome who was eyeing the net near the box missed a header as the ball went across the bar.

Similarly, Kethosilie Zatsu missed the target twice before Keneinguze Pienyü’s powerful shot was brilliantly thwarted by CYO’s custodian Neithovilie Chalieu.

Coming back to the second half, substitute Kekoselie Niphi scored the second goal through a stunning long ranger in the 63rd minute to seal off the victory for CYO after Shrühosel Zhotso fetched him a pass. NASA tried to create chances to capitalise but the visitors managed to defend their 2-0 lead till the final whistle to clinch the championship title.

Earlier, CYO defeated Sasa 2-0 in the first semi-final match while Nasa blanked Western Angami Youth Organisation 4-0 in the second semi-final match respectively before entering the final.

Coach Roko Angami has picked up players from all the four teams to represent Kohima in the forthcoming Dr. T Ao inter-district football tournament after the competition.

Meanwhile, in the volleyball competition, Southern Angami Sports Association (SASA) beat Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) 3-0 in the first semi-final match before being crowned champions by defeating Western Angami Youth Organisation 3-0 in the final.

Playing their semi-final match, Wayo defeated Northern Angami Sports Association with a 3-2 win to enter the final.

President of ASA Lhoubeizo Kesiyie informed that following Covid-19 SOPs, they included only two disciplines this year. He expressed regret that various other disciplines could not be conducted with the prevailing situation.

Kesiyie informed that while ASA had already celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017, they were looking forward to holding the golden jubilee of ASA meet 2022 in a befitting manner, inclusive of all the sporting events.