Players in action during the penalty shootout at the 2nd edition of Aphuyemi Youth Gathering cum Penalty Shootout, which was held at Ikishe village ground, Chümoukedima on October 2. (Morung Photo)
Chishilimi KK takes away trophy
Morung Express News
Ikishe| October 2
The 2nd edition of Aphuyemi Youth Gathering cum Penalty Shootout was held today at Ikishe village ground, Chümoukedima, where the people of Aphuyemi residing in different urban areas of Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Kohima turned up in hundreds.
Organised by the Sumi Aphuyemi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SABAK) Pughoboto, Youth Department, the gathering was held with an aim to foster unity and friendly ties amongst the urban community especially the youths.
46 teams took part in the penalty shootout, where Chishilimi KK took away the trophy as the champion. United Brothers Bovika emerged as the runners-up. Tonato from Chishilimi was awarded the best goalkeeper.
The special guest for the event, Kuputo Shohe, Chairman, Nagaland State Mineral Development Corp Ltd who could not turn up on time due to unavoidable circumstance was filled in by his wife, Nivili Shohe, Associate Pastor, Women, Sumi Aphuyemi Baptist Church Kohima. Addressing the gathering, Shohe said that while sports is a physical activity, it does not mean that it holds no importance in one’s faith and spirituality as a Christian. History shows that sports began before the Christian era in 7000 BCE and the first Olympics was held in 776 BCE in Greece.
However, even before such events were made official, Shohe maintained that sports activity began way before it, which has been recorded in the Bible, as she gave an instance from the book of Genesis where Jacob wrestled with an angel. The Bible also speaks of David defeating Goliath with a stone.
It is God who created the culture of sports in the ancient days, as history records of war-training, with spears and riding on chariots and horses, running, jumping etc. Shoheheld that it was created to honour and glorify God through excellence in the field. To this end, she urged the youths to partake in the blessings of God through sports as well.
Stressing on the power of unity, she called upon the gathering to continue to build relationships by holding worthwhile events as this, and further urged all to use one’s creative skills and talent to make the world a better place.
The event being a coming together of a community, she believed that through it, the gathering may cultivate self-discipline and maintain physical and mental health as well.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Atova Tenna, Youth Executive, while Albert Shohe, Youth Secretary SABAK was the secretary.
Hokato Futhena, Youth Secretary, SABAK in his welcome address pleaded upon the young people who are residing in towns and cities to not forget one’s roots. He said that the people back in the village still need your support. “Let’s go back and love our people. We need to earnestly think about the state of our people back in the village. They need us, and we need to begin to love our people and the church.”
Word of acknowledgement was given by Anguvito Shohe, Youth Executive who said that the youth department viewed the gathering as more important, more than the game. He said that cooperation from all ends of the Aphuyemi community was more important than raising mere funds through this event. He also called for building genuine bonds amongst the sea of different communities residing in the cities.
The referees during the penalty shootout were from Pughoboto Sub-division Football Referee Board.
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