Says Sports Battalion for Nagaland, Astro Turf Football ground for Mokokchung soon
3rd Mokokchung Inter-Ward Football Tournament underway
Mokokchung, May 5 (MTNews): The 3rd Mokokchung inter-ward football tournament organized by Marepkong Youth Association under the theme “Towards Excellence” commenced today with Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly as the guest of honour at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung.
Longkumer announced during the inaugural event that the state government would soon establish a sports battalion to foster young talents and provide them with an opportunity to thrive at the national and international levels.
“It should be a collective desire that there should be unity through sports,” he said, while adding that the collective aspiration for socio economic development is achievable.
He also confirmed of an upcoming Astro Turf Football ground in Mokokchung district, which he said would be tentatively available for use in 14 months under the initiative of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and hoped that the MDFA and 4th Inter-ward tournament would be held there in the future.
Earlier in the program, Bendangnukshi, Convener of the Organizing Committee, delivered a welcome address, while Imliyanger, Chairman, Sangtemla Ward, delivered an exhortation, and Limatemjen Pongen, President, Marepkong Youth Association, oversaw the tournament’s ceremonial oath.
The first match of the day was between Kumlong Ward and Arkong Ward, with Aripong, Temsutoshi, Inovi, and Nokcha scoring goals at 4, 11, 14, and 42 minutes, respectively, to seal the deal for the Arkong side against a loosely defended Kumlong side that struggled to make an offensive move throughout the match.
The second match of the day saw a rather competitive contest between Dilong Ward and Tongdentsuyong Ward having both settled the match for 1 point each. Dilong’s Toshiwapang scored 2 goals at 29th and 44th minutes while Opanglemzung and Lanusosang scored a goal each at 28th and 36th minutes for Tongdentsüyong.
The tournament is played in a 60-minute per match format which is scheduled to be retimed after the qualifiers are over. A total of 13 wards out of the 18 wards under the Mokokchung municipality are participating in the tournament.