Sporting talents unexplored due to lack of infrastructure: Sazo

Kohima Bible College and New Market-B begin Classic Cup campaign with easy win

Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 18

NAGALAND Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo today said that due to lack of basic sporting infrastructure the inborn talent of the Naga youths and gifted sportspersons could not be explored timely.
Declaring the 20th edition of Classic Cup organized by Classic Club Kohima (CCK) at Khouchiezie here today, Sazo, who is also the life member of CCK, lamented that “even though we have many in-born talented and gifted sportspersons, due to lack of basic sports infrastructure, many talented sportspersons could not explore their talents to its best during its prime time, in spite of the government efforts to create basic sports infrastructure”.
He also said that lack of sincerity, devotion, patience and discipline are other problems because of which sporting talents in the state have been unexplored.
Expressing happiness that some of the youths like Dr. T. Ao and Chekrovolu Swuro had already shown their capability in the international arena, he lamented that till date, Nagas are unable to produce any international football player after Dr. T. Ao, the first Naga Olympian and the Captain of Indian Football team.
Naga sportspersons should try to be professional, he said adding that in order to become a professional in any field one has to have patience and hardworking. He called upon them to keep away from drugs, alcohol and other social evils. “Don’t let them kill your future and your talent,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, Sazo also congratulated CCK for completing 20 successful years in social service and also organizing one of the prestigious football tournaments in the State.
The NLA Speaker also honoured the former champions of the tournament with citation while also handing away the Ambulance key to Naga Mothers’ Association president Abieu Meru. The ambulance was donated by CCK as part of its social service to NMA in commemoration of completing 20 years of existence.
A total of 54 teams from Nagaland and Manipur are vying for the prestigious trophy, which carries cash award of Rs. 1.50 lakh as champions while runners-up will fetch Rs. 70,000. Individual awards have also been earmarked for different categories.
Meanwhile, playing the inaugural match, Kohima Bible College (KBC) defeated Khwüma Football Club (KFC) by 2-0. Both the goals were scored by Kelesezo in the 10th and 45th minute of play. Zhakho Soukhrie and Seyijalie, both of KFC and Menuodilhoulie Phira of KBC were penalized with a yellow card each.
In second match, New Market-B defeated Alianza FC by 2-0. Naiman Minz and Megovilie Miasalhou scored the goals in 32nd and 66th minute. Zakie Owung and Acharo Rudy, both of New Market-B were penalized with yellow card.
Today’s matches
1st match: 10:00 am
Akiu FC vs New Reserve Youth Organisation
2nd match: 11:40 am
Tiema Khe, Kidima vs Fennec FC
3rd match: 1:30 pm
Status Quo FC vs Arsenic FC
4th match: 3:30 pm
Twenty 14 FC vs Gideon Chandmari United