DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 19 (MExN): Medziphema Area Football Tournament 2011 kicked off on Wednesday, October 19 at Medziphema Town local ground. Organized by Medziphema Town Youth Organisation under the theme – Unity through Sports, the inaugural was graced Zhaleo Rio, Secretary, PHED & Fisheries as the chief guest.
Ten teams, pooled into two groups, are in the fray for a total cash purse of Rs. 49, 000. The teams are – (Pool A) Kukidolong, Khanakhurü, Tsiepama, Medziphema Town B, Medziphema Village, and Medziphema Town C; (Pool B) New Socünoma Milcon Club, Ruzaphema, 20 Assam Rifles, Medziphema Town, and Khaibung.
“Unless we learn to live together as Nagas, unless we live in unity… no development or peace can come to the Nagas,” said Rio in the customary address of the chief guest. Rio was remarking on the tournament’s theme ‘unity through sports’, which he said is apt taking into context the present Naga society. It is indeed, a knowledgeable gesture on the part of the organizers that they are working towards that direction through sports, he added.
This tournament was suspended for some years. “I’m happy it has been revived,” he said while expressing his gratitude to the sponsors for helping restart the tournament. He also expressed his wish that the tournament be turned into an annual event and grows even bigger in the years to come. For this to take shape, it requires the contribution of the villages falling under Medziphema sub-division, he said.
While remarking that many Naga youths today have little or no sense of ‘work culture’ or rather professionalism; he thus, urged the youths to instill the fire to work. There is also a casual attitude towards sports, this he said: “We must change.” “Sports has no boundary… today, you’re playing at Medziphema but who knows you’ll be playing at a bigger arena in future.”
On the part of the government, it is doing whatever it can to investing in the development of sports. At the same time, he urged the youth (aspiring sportspersons) to take advantage of whatever facility is available. The tournament will conclude on November 2. The closing ceremony will be graced by Alet Hangsinh, SDAO, Phek as the guest of guest.
Ten teams, pooled into two groups, are in the fray for a total cash purse of Rs. 49, 000. The teams are – (Pool A) Kukidolong, Khanakhurü, Tsiepama, Medziphema Town B, Medziphema Village, and Medziphema Town C; (Pool B) New Socünoma Milcon Club, Ruzaphema, 20 Assam Rifles, Medziphema Town, and Khaibung.
“Unless we learn to live together as Nagas, unless we live in unity… no development or peace can come to the Nagas,” said Rio in the customary address of the chief guest. Rio was remarking on the tournament’s theme ‘unity through sports’, which he said is apt taking into context the present Naga society. It is indeed, a knowledgeable gesture on the part of the organizers that they are working towards that direction through sports, he added.
This tournament was suspended for some years. “I’m happy it has been revived,” he said while expressing his gratitude to the sponsors for helping restart the tournament. He also expressed his wish that the tournament be turned into an annual event and grows even bigger in the years to come. For this to take shape, it requires the contribution of the villages falling under Medziphema sub-division, he said.
While remarking that many Naga youths today have little or no sense of ‘work culture’ or rather professionalism; he thus, urged the youths to instill the fire to work. There is also a casual attitude towards sports, this he said: “We must change.” “Sports has no boundary… today, you’re playing at Medziphema but who knows you’ll be playing at a bigger arena in future.”
On the part of the government, it is doing whatever it can to investing in the development of sports. At the same time, he urged the youth (aspiring sportspersons) to take advantage of whatever facility is available. The tournament will conclude on November 2. The closing ceremony will be graced by Alet Hangsinh, SDAO, Phek as the guest of guest.
