Winners of the online Freestyle competition Awang Konyak (L) and GR Naga (R).
KOHIMA, August 30 (MExN): 15-year-old Awang Konyak from Mon district was declared as the winner of the first Nagaland Online Freestyle football competition 2020 organised by the YouTube channel— Naga Manu Production.
Ruokuokholie Medom (Gr. Naga) from Kohima district was adjudged the runners-up. The results were declared on August 30 after two rounds of rigorous selection process by professional state footballers, veterans and coaches.
According to Naga Manu Production, the tournament was organised to engage footballers rendered inactive by the lockdown and also to explore the untapped talents in the state.
The competitors were judged based on five main criteria— difficulty of tricks, all round abilities, originality and flow, execution and control to decide the winner of the competition as the best Freestyler in Nagaland.
The competition saw a pool of 37 participants from Mon, Peren, Phek, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Kohima, Wokha, Dimapur.
The winner of the competition Awang Konyak recieved a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 sponsored by Kohima Town Club, while, the runners-up GR Naga recieved Rs 3,000 sponsored by Vanguard FC Tseminyu.
Thungcheva Ngullie with more than 50,000 views received the Highest Viewed Video award. He won a cash prize of Rs. 1000 sponsored by Naga Manu Production.
The Emerging Youngster award was given to 14 year-old Zachenth Ngullie and received a cash of Rs. 1000 sponsored by Life Sports, Nagaland.
It was informed that the winners will be receiving Vanguard FC home jerseys and e-certificates.
The other players, who made it to the top 6 of the online competition, were Chuncham Zeliang, Thungcheva Ngullie, Neikethozo Yhome, Wisilubou. Meanwhile, the three youngest participants were Atou Sumi, Taiwang, Nzangthung Ezung, who are all 11 years old.
