TUENSANG, OCTOBER 7 (MExN): The 25th of Loyem Memorial Senior Soccer Open Championship, 2017 started on October 7 at Tuensang with the Chief Minister TR Zeliang attending the inaugural as the chief guest. According to a press release, the CM paid tribute to the man in whose memory the tournament is organised annually. Zeliang in his inaugural address regarded the late Loyem Chang as a pioneering figure of Tuensang, who by dint of his hard work rose to become a Head Dobashi in the Office of Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang until his demise on August 3, 1964.
“Though I never had the privilege of meeting or knowing late Loyem, yet on a more personal plane, what made me feel drawn to him and his family was the fact that his late son Changkong Chang and I were Colleagues during the mid 90’s when I myself was inducted as a Minister for the very first time,” the release quoted the CM as stating. Exhorting the youth, the CM said that students throughout history have always been the torch bearers in education, sports and progress of the society. While stating that societal growth involves mental, physical as well as spiritual aspects, he said that the Naga society needs to give importance to sports and physical fitness.
While exuding confidence that Nagas has potential to excel, he made mention of Vesuto Medo, Kesen Jwensinle, Menu Tsukru and Pelemno Neikha, who represented the country as part of the gold winning Indian team to the 2nd South Asian Sepak-Takraw Cup 2017 held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. While Olympian Cherkrovolo did the State proud, he also cited the case of Kilenmeren who was part of the Indian National Archery Team at the International Archery championships held at Chinese Taipei July from 3 to 6, 2017.
He also announced that the state government is planning to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. T. Ao, in 2018.
Lauding the efforts and initiatives of Confederation of Chang Students Union (CCSU), Zeliang said that “the decision of CCCSU taken way back in 1992 to institute this Championship in honour of late Loyem was indeed most befitting.” While stating that Loyem Memorial Championship has been doing its part to nourish the hidden talents of the youths in Tuensang, the Chief Minister acknowledged the good works done by the Union “in bringing together youth members for a common cause by holding this championship for the past two and a half decades.”
