DIMAPUR — The North East Zone Inter-University Football Tournament kicked off on November 11 at Nagaland University, Lumami. The five-day tournament, featuring university teams from the eight north-eastern states, commenced with an inaugural ceremony at the Dr. T Ao Football Ground, informed a press release.
The first match took place between Manipur University and Tripura University. The match ended in a thrilling penalty shootout, with Tripura emerging victorious 5-4 after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. In the second match, Guwahati University defeated Tezpur University 1-0.
The tournament follows a knockout format in its initial stages, with the four best-performing teams advancing to play league matches. These top teams will then progress to the All India Inter-Zonal Tournament, to be held at GNA University in Phagwara, Punjab.
Among the 32 teams that will represent India’s eight zones, eight will be selected to compete in the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2024-25 session.
Nineteen university teams have registered for the tournament, representing all eight north-eastern states. Matches will be held at two venues: the Dr. T. Ao Football Ground in Lumami and the Mokokchung local ground. The tournament is organised under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.