Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 8
Sweet Poison Club, IG Academy came out tops in the girls’ category at the Oorja - Central Armed Police Force (Oorja-CAPF) Under-19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament. State Sports Academy, Dimapur were winners in the boys’ category of the tournament, organised by the 9 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N), which concluded here today.
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Chief Minister and other with winner of boys category[/caption]
The two teams, aside from being handed winners’ trophies named after the great Dr. Talimeren Ao, received cash award of Rs. 50,000 each.
Girls Sports Hostel Dimapur and Young Girls Club IG Academy Kohima finished in 2nd and 3rd place in the girls’ category. They carried home a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively.
State Boys Hostel Dimapur and SAI- STC Dimapur finished 2nd and 3rd in the boys’ category, while winning Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000, respectively, as cash prize.
Player of the Tournament and Best Goalkeeper (boys and girls) were awarded Rs. 5000 each.
The prizes were handed away by Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
Minister for Home Y. Patton, Minister for School Education & SCERT Yitachu, Minister for Roads & Bridges Y. Vikheho Swu, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt. Gen Shokin Chauhan, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) Maj. Gen. Sanjay Gupta, brand ambassadors Imlibenla Wati and Mughato Sumi were also present at the prize distribution ceremony.
Dr. Liezietsu, in his address, while outlining the effort of the state government to promote football in the state, expressed hope that the tournament would “boost our efforts to promote the sport.”
“I am confident that this kind of tournaments will provide a much needed platform to the young Naga football players,” he said, adding that it would also provide an opportunity for the state football coaches and clubs for scouting talent.
“There is lot of scope for talented and serious football players to turn professional to earn a decent livelihood through the sports they love,” he said.
The tournament was conducted by the AR in 4 states of the north-east. Director General of Assam Rifles, Lt. Gen Shokin Chauhan informed that the finals will take place at Shillong, where Nagaland will also join, most likely in the latter part of June.
With India set to host the under-17 FIFA World Cup in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for the conduct of Under-19 football talent hunt tournaments nationwide - the objective being to identify potential football talents.
