The Department of Youth Resources & Sports, in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association, kicked off the State-level Pre-Subroto Cup Cluster-1 Football Tournament at Chümoukedima Football Stadium today. The tournament will continue until June 26 and serves as a platform for school-level teams to qualify for the national Subroto Cup.
District Sports Officer, Chümoukedima, Wutsutho, delivered the keynote address and extended a warm welcome to dignitaries, including the District Youth Resources Officer of Dimapur, Vice President of the Nagaland Football Association, President of the Dimapur District Football Association, officials from the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, school representatives, referees, media personnel, and parents.
In his address, Wutsutho highlighted the structure of this year’s tournament, which is being conducted in two clusters — Cluster-1 in Chümoukedima and Cluster-2 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. A total of 28 schools are participating across both venues, with 17 teams competing in the Under-15 Boys category and 9 in the Under-17 Girls category.
From Cluster-1, 12 schools are participating — 10 in the U-15 Boys and 2 in the U-17 Girls category. The top two U-15 Boys teams from Cluster-1 will face off against Cluster-2 winners at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on June 30, while the best U-17 Girls team will compete on July 1. In total, 12 matches are scheduled.
Encouraging the young players, Wutsutho stated, “This is a golden opportunity for aspiring footballers. If you perform well, you may be spotted by major clubs from within the state and even from across the country.” He called upon players to take the tournament seriously as a stepping stone toward professional football.
He further informed that the state-level winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will represent Nagaland at the national Subroto Cup in New Delhi this August. The state government will bear the cost of uniforms, jerseys, boots, and related expenses for the selected teams.
The opening ceremony was chaired by N. Viniekholie (DYRO), with an invocation by Khriezotuonuo Theunuo (Sports Coach). The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Kevicasier Savino, PIS.
The tournament officially commenced with an inaugural match between Bethel Baptist School, Niuland and Christian School, Molvom in the U-15 Boys category.
