Our Correspondent Kohima | June 26 The 1st edition of Kohima district inter-school football tournament 2017 under the aegis of Royal Club Kohima and school education department got underway here today at Khuochiezie. Gracing the inaugural function, minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu urged upon the youth to learn to engage with one another, understand and love one another for development and progress to take place. Appreciating the Royal Club for taken a noble task, he said organizing such tournament is a way of giving back to the society, adding that we required successful people to give back to the society to ensure the society growth in the right perspective. Yitachu stressed on the need to cater the talent of youth and take the spirit of the game in much higher height. He wishes the tournament to grow bigger and higher. Royal Club president Er. Kevizatuo Miachieo said 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 Kolkata, 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 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 tournament features 24 teams (22 private and two government schools), which will go on till July 15. 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 inaugural function witnessed special numbers from Dziesekhrienuo Keretsii, Kezieah Mero and Kekhrie Thepa. The function was chaired by Thejao Vihienuo while administration of oath was done by organizing committee secretary Kepelhutuo Nakhro. The club paid respect to the departed member Lt. Shiirho Solo and Neisatuo Keditsu. Northfield, Model HSS wins Northfield and Model Higher Secondary School today registered in their respective matches on the opening day. In the first match of the day, Northfield downed Vinyiizo School 1-0 to move to second round. Ruokuonguzo netted the winning goal for Northfield in the 65th minute. Model Higher Secondary School overpowered Mezhiir Higher Secondary School 3-2 in the second match. Chumbemo opened the account for Mezhiir HSS in the 34th minute. The equalizer for Model Higher Secondary School came through Omwang .The team secured another goal through Atong in the 52nd minute. Omwang netted the third goal for the team in the 58th minute and it confirmed victory against the opponent. The 2nd goal for Mezhiir was scored by Khriesa.