Nagaland Under-17 team of the 61st Subroto Cup International Football Tournament with others upon their arrival to the State after winning the trophy at Dimapur Airport on October 15.
Subroto Cup players accorded with ‘Heroes of Nagaland’ welcome
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 15
As the triumphant players of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament from Nagaland came out of the Dimapur airport, they were accorded with enthusiastic ‘Heroes of Nagaland’ chants from the crowd gathered to welcome them.
A felicitation programme for the Under-17 champions of the 61st edition of the well-known Subroto Cup, reiterated the sobriquet while recognising the magnitude of the achievement as well as contributions from various quarters, and personal dedications, including the power of prayers.
At the same time, there was a consensus on the need for support from every stakeholder, particularly the State Government and the concerned department, to repeat such feats in the future.
Such reactions were understandable. Besides the rarity of the State’s team achievement at other national and international sporting arenas, Nagaland last won the title of the current tournament in 1980, when Government High School, Dimapur was declared joint winners along with Ibemcha Higher Secondary School, Manipur.
While the State’s Under-13 team had more successful campaigns thereafter, the champions title eluded the Senior team. The boys representing the Pilgrim Higher Secondary School, Dimapur ‘broke the jinx’ with the ‘historic’ win.
“I am speechless and overwhelmed,” stated Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports Advisor, Er Zale Neikha, who lauded the players for showing utmost enthusiasm at a young age.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the team’s coach and manager as well as the school management and particularly expressed gratitude to parents of young players, saying: “Without your consent, the boy would not have achieved the milestone.”
The players have shown and exemplified teamwork, agility and skills to win the tournament, he stated, while further challenging them to work harder and improvise their talents to be champions of higher heights.
Let this be the beginning of your journey, not the end - the milestone to go further with greater achievements ahead, he added.
‘I have been waiting and dreaming of this day for the last 19 years,’ stated Nagaland Under-17 Team Coach Mughato Aye, visibly elated.
It was a mission for us, he added while acknowledging the players and saluting the ‘value of impact’ of their achievement.
According to Aye, Nagaland’s quarterfinal match against Meghalaya, with six players from Lajong FC and the final match with Chandigarh, with most players from Minerva FC, were the most crucial contests for the team at the tournament.
It was a ‘miracle’ that we could overcome them, he postulated, affirming the power of prayers.
Nagaland defeated Government Model Higher Secondary School-37,Chandigarh 1-0 in the finals at Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium on October 13, to lift the trophy again after more than 4 decades.
In quarters, the team defeated St Anthony’s High School, Meghalaya 5-4 via penalty shootout.
He also listed anecdotal evidence of support shown by the DYRS Department, led by the Advisor.
Among others, he divulged that prompt arrangement was made for the team to return by flight after a request was sent to the Advisor after reaching the semifinals, while ‘non-stop’ calls were received from department officials led by the Secretary, enquiring about the well-being of the team throughout the tournament.
Aye also credited the team manager Akihito Zhimo, whom he described as the ‘craziest’ football lower, with equal dedication to take them forward.
Zhimo, on his part, acknowledged the Pilgrim HSS and prayers as well as support from different quarters.
Meanwhile, NFA President, Neibu Sekhose said that the team has ‘rewritten the history of football’ in the State, after 42-year long wait.
Western Sumi Hoho General Secretary Kisheto Chishi also noted that the achievement has demonstrated that Nagaland is ‘not less than others’ in sports and accordingly appealed to the State Government to invest, nourish and mould ‘more’ to bring further laurels.
Likewise, Lanutoshi Yaden, Vice-President, of Dimapur District Football Association (DDFA) called for taking note of the achievement and to create as well as explore more possibilities.
President, Western Sumi Sports Association, Vikuto Zhimo also requested the State Government to recognise the achievement and to ensure that there is motivation to do more to repeat such feats.
The students of PHSS Dimapur and teachers also come in huge numbers to welcome the players, while the Dimapur District Two-Wheeler Taxi Association also escorted the team to the city for another reception.
