Morung United FC were crowned champions of the Morning Premier League 2023 during the closing ceremony on September 1. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 1
Morung United FC were declared champions of the 2023 edition of the Morning Premier League (MPL) during the closing ceremony of the Morning Premier League held at IG Stadium on September 1. The event was graced by Dovo, Deputy Director, Youth Resources & Sports as Guest of Honour and Hikali Achumi, Miss Nagaland as special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Dovo, Deputy Director, Youth Resources & Sports remarked that the Morning Premier League is getting better year after year. Stating that it is not easy to wake up early in the morning to come to IG stadium, play a match and go back home to get ready to go to their respective workplaces on a daily basis, he commended the determination and hard work exhibited by both the organisers and the players.
He further commended the organisers for the theme ‘Health and Friendship,’ and exuded hope that MPL 2024 will be even better.
In his speech, Mele Pucho, MPL Convenor noted that MPL, which started in 2015 is one of the most consistent leagues in the state. Emphasizing that the most important thing today is health, he also highlighted that “most of us are 35 years and above. We are playing for health and friendship, and not for glory or to become professional players.”
He also expressed that MPL has helped them in many ways, while putting across that MPL has produced many good testimonies of people who are struggling in their personal lives such as with substance and alcohol abuse, etc.
Reigning Miss Nagaland, Hikali Achumi gave away the individual prizes which were bagged by the following players:
• Golden Glove: Avisa of Vanguard FC
• Golden Boot (33 goals, MPL record): Mele Pucho Unity FC
• Best Defender: Mecievilie of All Blacks FC
• Best Midfielder: Stephen Rutsa of Morung United FC
• Player of the Season: Anguzo of Vanguard FC
• MPL Fair Play Award: Get Them Go FC
Highlights of the closing ceremony included prayer by Jonathan Mesen, Pastor, Rengma Baptist Church; special song by Azi Rudy; dance by Hachobeni & Chumreno; and vote of thanks by Chiset. Lipok announced the list of individual awards and Ruopfu Whiso, Femina Miss India Nagaland 2018 was the host for the event.
Prior to the closing ceremony, an exhibition match was also played between the MPL Management Committee and Kohima Press Club. It may be noted that starting from September 11, four MPL teams will be playing the Morning Champions Cup for the next one month.
