The 2nd edition of the Salukum Rogo Ungma Running Football Trophy 2022 got underway at the Senayangba Memorial Stadium, Ungma with Nungsangmeren, President NDPP, 26th Aonglenden A/C gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.
In his inaugural speech, Nungsangmeren reflected on his youth spent playing traditional Naga games during the festive season, but he also noted how as spectators everyone today is more interested in modern sports, such as volleyball, table tennis, and football in particular. He further emphasized how Mokokchung is currently watching the FIFA World Cup 2022, which is currently taking place in Qatar.
He also underscored the value of education and claimed that education and athletics should go hand in hand, giving the example of other sportsmen who were unable to respond to questions from interviewers in English and instead had to use a translator while responding in their native tongues.
He continued by expressing the hope that the running trophy would allow the organizers to nurture talents that would go on to represent the district, state, and nation in the future and made an appeal to the SRU to keep the trophy alive for years to come. He also urged the organizers to work closely with the churches, Yimden, and government to secure the tournament’s maximum amount of support and to develop future talent.
Zulumanen, SRU President during a brief welcome address informed that the running trophy was started in 2021 with the sponsorship of Sharingain Longkumer, NLA Speaker and his family. He added that the second edition of the trophy would be played for 4 days and is being participated by 8 teams with 4 teams from Ungma Village, 1 from Mokokchung Village and 3 from Mokokchung Town.
The inaugural match of the day witnessed Hunting Boots go up against Jingo FC where the former defeated the side by 2 goals to 1.
The trophy is being played with 2 groups with 4 teams each in a league cum knockout format with 8 participating teams, namely, Hunting Boots, Jingo FC, Season Star, Brothers FC, Salvo FC, Revenant FC, Power FC and Moanungsang Memorial Sporting Club.
