Chümoukedima, Kohima win Pre-Subroto-cum-Junior Football Tournament

KOHIMA — Chümoukedima and Kohima won the Boys’ Under-15 and Girls’ Under-17 categories, respectively, in the first state-level Pre-Subroto-cum-Junior Football Tournament, which concluded on Tuesday.

The Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS) organised the week-long sporting event in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), which began on June 5 at Kohima’s Indira Gandhi Stadium.

In the Boys’ U-15 category, Chümoukedima defeated Peren with a single overtime goal from Lamminlen Thangeo to win the championship. Wokha defeated Kiphire 2-1 to finish third.

In the Girls’ U-17 category, Kohima emerged victorious by defeating Noklak with a 3-0 score in the final. Chümoukedima won against Zunheboto with a 3-0 score to claim third place.

Individual awards in the Girls’ U-17 category, Chonghoilhing Guite from Chümoukedima claimed the title of Highest Scorer, while Vivotsonu Pusa, also from Chümoukedima, earned the title of Best Goalkeeper.

Moniu C from Noklak was recognised as the Best Midfielder, with Mhalo P Mozhui from Kohima securing the title of Best Defender. Mhalo P Mozhui was further honoured as the Player of the Tournament, while Nounevinuo from Kohima was acknowledged as the Most Promising Player.

In the Boys’ U-15 category, L Paogouhao Hengma and Lamminlen Thangeo, both from Chümoukedima, shared the title of Highest Scorer with nine goals each. Lenminngam Sinson from Peren was awarded Best Goalkeeper, while Seisanglum from Chümoukedima received recognition as the Best Midfielder.

Mangkholen Hangsing from Peren was named Best Defender, and Lamgouchung Hangsing from Peren was honoured as Player of the Tournament. Kipen E Murry from Wokha was celebrated as the Most Promising Player.

Make sports integral part of life, says TR Zeliang

Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister, T R Zeliang, who attended the closing ceremony, stated in his speech that the winners, who will represent the state at the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, with the boys travelling to Bangalore and the girls to Delhi, will attend special coaching camps for about three weeks.

He mentioned that the tournament was fully funded by the government of Nagaland and stressed the importance of sports in the overall development of human lives. He noted that a good education system focuses equally on the development of both the mind and the physical body.

He encouraged budding sportspersons to make sports an integral part of their lives, preparing them for a new world of sports as they move beyond their district and home state.