1st Kohima dist inter-school football tournament 2017

Our Correspondent Kohima | June 22   The 1st edition of Kohima district inter-school football tournament 2017 under the aegis of Royal Club Kohima and school education department will take place from June 26 to July 15 at the Kohima Local Ground.   Announcing this during a press conference here, Royal Club president Er. Kevizatuo Miachieo said the tournament will witness the participation of 24 schools which is to be played on a knock out basis.   The champion will pocket a cash prizes of Rs. 70,000 while the runners up will be awarded with Rs.50,000. Losing semi finalists will get Rs. 20,000 each.   The club informed that a match allowance amounting to Rs.1000 will be given to each team.   The participating schools includes; North Field, Vinyiizo School, Mt. Sinai HSS, Bethel HSS, St. Peter School, Charity School, Naga Bazar Baptist, BMS Jotsoma, St. Mary’s HSS, Vineyard, Azedon, G. Rio School, Mezhur HSS, Model HSS, MHBHSS, TMGHSS, Khedi Baptist HSS, Stella HSS, Chandmari HSS, Mt. Hermon HSS, BHS Tseminyu, Riiziikhrie HSS, Baptist High and Dainty Buds.   Promoting the game of football in Nagaland is a cherished objective of the Royal Club Kohima. The Club has been involved in the conduct of football since 1988.   Since, not many of the players get the opportunity to go out of the state; Royal Club decided that opportunity for such players may be provided by bringing reputed teams from across India to play at home. In pursuance of this purpose, the Club has organized The Royal Gold Cup, the only All India Football Federation affiliated and the only all India open football tournament in Nagaland till 22nd Royal Gold Cup 2013.   The Royal Gold Cup has made it possible for many of the state players to play against some of the most reputed teams in India such as, the Mohan Bagan of Kolkata, the Mohammadans of Kolkatta, the George Telegraph also from Kolkatta, Mahindra & Mahindra from Mumbai, Punjab Police from Jalandar, Rashtriya Chemicals from Mumbai and many other teams from across India.   The coming of football economy has also seriously impacted the game of football in India. The emergence of India League (I League) in 2007 and the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2013 has not only commercialized professional football in the country but has also globalised football in India.   Against this backdrop, football players from the neighboring states in the north east are emerging with dominance among the professional footballers in India.   Today, about 20 to 25 per cent of the professional football players come from North East, a region that comprises of hardly 8 per cent of the country’s population. Sadly, Nagaland football remains to bask in the glory of Late Dr. T.Ao who led the Indian team to the Summer Olympics in 1948.   The club stated that changing time demands change in strategy.   Hence, the Club has now decided to focus on the development of football in Nagaland beginning with a grass root programme with the launch of the first edition of Kohima district inter school football tournament.   The Club exudes confidence on the upcoming talents and bank on their hard work, dedication and commitment where skill and talents are in abundance and that harnessing the budding talents and mounding them shall once again facilitate players from Nagaland find their rightful place in the world of football.   MLA Dr. Nicky Kire, who is also member of Royal Club said that the Club may also connect similar tournament to other districts and bring the best team to the state level.   Meanwhile, there will be briefing for team managers and coaches on June 25 at 4:00 PM. All the concerned have been requested to attend the same.