Nagaland U-20 football team secured a comprehensive 4–0 victory over the Bengaluru FC Young Blues Elite in a friendly match held at the Inspire Institute of Sport football ground here on June 28.
VIJAYANAGAR, JUNE 28 (MExN): The Nagaland U-20 football team secured a comprehensive 4–0 victory over the Bengaluru FC Young Blues Elite in a friendly match held at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) football ground here on Saturday.
The match was part of the ongoing visit of Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and his delegation to Vijayanagar. The Chief Minister, accompanied by senior officials, witnessed the game and was felicitated by the Inspire Institute of Sport upon arrival.
Addressing the players after the match, Dr Rio praised the team’s spirited performance and urged them to pursue sporting excellence with commitment and discipline. Recalling the legacy of Dr T. Ao, the first captain of independent India’s national football team and a native of Nagaland, he said, “Dr T. Ao remains a symbol of pride and inspiration for the Naga people and Indian football. The potential of our youth is immense, and future collaborations with institutions like IIS can help create pathways for many to excel at national and international levels.”
Arap Konyak was the standout performer for Nagaland, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 7th, 32nd, and 44th minutes. Ngangsang K Phom added another in the 41st minute, sealing a dominant win for the visitors.
Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India, also addressed the gathering. “The Inspire Institute of Sport is producing athletes who are contributing to India’s nation-building process. It is important that our youth perform with excellence and represent the country with integrity. Opportunities like these are vital in shaping disciplined and responsible athletes,” he said.
The delegation later toured the IIS facility and interacted with coaches and athletes, exploring India’s leading private high-performance sports infrastructure. The visit marks a growing partnership between the Government of Nagaland and the JSW Group in the field of sports development.
.JPG)
