Correspondent
Kohima, November 6
In a disappointing day for football fans today, even the third quarterfinal of the ongoing Royal Gold Cup, the only All India Football Federation affiliated soccer tourney in the state, was cancelled.The organizers Royal Club Kohima informed that the 3rd quarter-final between runners-up of 2012 edition of the cup, Barak Football Club, Nagaland and NIDSA Manipur had to be cancelled as the visiting team from the neighbouring state failed to turn up as per the scheduled fixture.
Therefore, home team Barak FC has been awarded walk-over and placed in the semi-finals, they would be clashing against another home team Kohima Komets in the first semi-final on November 8.
Mention may be made here the organizers had scrutinized only nine teams – five from Nagaland, two from Manipur and one each from Assam and Mizoram to view for the silver jubilee tourney of the Club.
But, two teams i.e. one each from Manipur and Assam backed off, because of which not only today match but even yesterday’s match (2nd quarter-final) had to be cancelled as Oil India, Assam failed to turn-up. With that, FC Khanglai, Manipur were directly placed in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the Royal Club press secretary Kenny Peseyie in press release informed that the organizer was informed about NIDSA Manipur confirmation to play the match on the eve of the match and also about their onward journey to Kohima in the morning.
However, communication was later abruptly cut off for best reason known to the team leading to the walk-over been awarded to Barak FC, he said, adding that this has caused great inconveniences to the football fans who waited patiently beyond the scheduled match time to see the action.
The organizer while expressing regrets for the inconveniences rendered to the spectators are also appreciative of their enduring spirit for not causing any untoward incident following the cancellation of the match.
He also informed that the organizer has already written official communiqué to the All India Football Federation to initiate appropriate disciplinary action against NIDSA, Manipur.
TODAY’S MATCH
4TH QUARTER-FINAL
Time: 1:30 pm
TTFC Mizoram
vs HQ IGAR
