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Players of team Argentina and Japan pose for a photograph with organisers of the event, among others, at St. Paul School’s ground in Phesama on Tue. Aug. 14. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, Aug. 14: Nestled along the national highway-2 in the southern part of Kohima district lies Phesama, a small village that has been regularly organising a post World Cup festival every fourth year for the last 28 years. It was in 1994 that some enthusiastic young football fans of the village came up with the idea to put together a miniature event replicating FIFA’s World Cup, taking the love of soccer to a whole new level.
Dubbed as ‘Phesa World Cup: A Replica’, the 7th edition of the event got underway on Tuesday at St. Paul School Ground, Phesama with senior Superintendent of Police Kohima, Vekhosa Chakhesang officially declaring the tournament open.
According to the organisers, the event was a platform to celebrate the love for the game and a time of get-together for the villagers through which they renew their ties while strengthening friendship among fellow fans of a particular nation from different khels of the village.
This edition, fans of six countries are taking part in the tournament, namely, Argentina, Japan, Brazil, Spain, England and Italy. Despite Italy not qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Phesama’s post World Cup festival had a place for the team. The organisers said there was a huge following of Italian football and a strong team among the fans from the village, and they had qualified to play in the replica event. Interestingly, the Italian flag was smaller than the others, signifying the failure to qualify for the recently concluded FIFA World Cup.
The special guest in his brief speech lauded the initiative of the football enthusiasts. He expressed hope that the players would replicate the techniques and skills displayed by the international players and represent the state in the national and beyond.
While reminding the players the need to exhibit the spirit of true sportsmanship, the police officer encouraged them to give their best in the tournament.
Vizokho Zashumo, the convenor of the organising committee highlighted the genesis of ‘Phesa World Cup’.
Besides the first and second place winners, there are also individual awards such as golden boot, golden glove, golden ball, youngest player award etc.
The local crowd also turned up in the respective jerseys of the countries they supported. The tournament is being played on league basis on a 60 minutes per match duration and will conclude on Wednesday evening. The matches are being officiated by the Kohima District Football Referees' Association.
Meanwhile, the organisers have expressed appreciation to the special invitee, senior SP Kohima Vekhosa Chakhesang and his wife, commandant 10th IRB Zhadima VZ Angami and his wife, Southern Angami Sports Association, Angami Students Union, Kimipfüphe Youth Organisation, PRO to Speaker Medo Yhokha, St. Paul School Phesama, Ketoupuzo Lhoushe, Beizo M Kuotsu and Metekhrielie Mejura for their support towards the event.
As per updates from the organisers, team Argentina, Spain and Japan have qualified for the semi-finals till Tuesday evening. Italy and England will play on Wednesday morning and the winner would fill the fourth slot in the semis.