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Temjen Imna Along Longkumer along with the officials, referees, and organisers posing for a photograph during the opening ceremony of DFL at the DDSC stadium in Dimapur on Fri. Sep. 14. (EM Images)[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 14: The Dimapur Football League (DFL) season 1 got underway at the Dimapur District Sports Council (DDSC) stadium in Dimapur on Fri. Sep. 14 with minister for Higher and Technical Education, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, as the special invitee.
The event is being organised by the Naga United Football Club (NUFC) under the aegis of Dimapur District Football Association (DDFA).
Eight teams—Chanan FC, A1 Power Play Club, Titan and SCC, Ekhyo FC, FC Alianza, P Vizheto FC, Dorian’s Society, and United V and S—from Dimapur will be competing for a prize pool of INR 3.51 lakh.
The vice president of DDFA, Tsenthungo Lotha, during his short speech, said that the DDFA was the first association to conduct a football league in Nagaland. He also said that the NUFC and the association made an agreement for two years on a condition that they carry on the league ‘properly and up to the mark.’ If the club satisfies the condition, the agreement will be extended.
Mentioning that there are only a few exceptional players who compete in national levels, he urged the audience to focus on games and sports and expose their talents.
Speaking as the special invitee, the minister lamented that Nagas are good in everything but are not the best. “We only do things to show. It is a ‘time pass’ for us,” he said.
He then encouraged entire gathering to start thinking to be the best and do thing that becomes relevant for the people.
Longkumer also motivated the players to play with a ‘true spirit of sportsmanship’ to represent the state as well as the nation.
An unveiling ceremony of the DFL anthem was conducted along with an oath-taking of the team leaders. It was mentioned that the DFL anthem’s video will be released soon.
Later in the event, the minister kicked-off the ball to mark the opening of the DFL.
Two league matches will be conducted every Friday and Saturday at 1 pm and at 3:30 pm till Oct. 27.
The DFL day-1 first match was played between Chanan FC and AI Power Play Club.
The first goal was scored by Nyithung of A1 Power Play at the first minute of the game and was soon equalised by Crispin Kamson of Chanan FC in the 15th minutes.
The second and the third goal for A1 Power Play Club were scored by Yhunshalo at the 20th and 28th minutes. The first half ended 3-1 in favour of A1 Power Play.
In the second half, A1 Power Play extended their lead after Sinlo fired in the fourth goal at the 40th minute. The second and third goal for Chanan FC were scored by Pouguigai Dangmei and Muleyi at the 42nd and 57th minute. A1 Power Play won the match 4-3.
The second match was played between Titan SCC and Ekhyo FC. A lone goal for Titan FC through David Konyak in the 67th minutes of the second half was enough to beat Ekhyo FC 1-0.