National Christian Football Championship underway in Kohima

Unity World Cup 2024 in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 10
The 6th edition of Agape Cup 2022 (National Christian Football Championship) under the aegis of Sports Coalition of India (SCI) with GethemGo Sports International (GSI) as host, commenced here today at Indira Gandhi Stadium.

Speaking on the occasion as the special guest, Er Zale Neikha, Advisor Youth Resources & Sports said that Agape Cup is not only a promotion of football but a promotion of Christianity across the country through unity in sports. “It also provides a wholesome gathering of any form of Christianity around India to partake in the tournament and to glorify the Almighty God as one,” he said.

Agape is a National Christian Football tournament to bring players from across the country and to encourage, disciple and make them understand that life goes on beyond football, he said.

The Advisor said the disciplining oneself is one of the most important things for a sportsperson as it will help he sportsperson to focus and attain the ability and be a winner.

Stating that God made everyone of us for a purpose, he said “So if you are blessed to be a good athlete, you should glorify God with your talents and gifts.”

Er Neikha said that it is important for sportsperson or players to maintain a balanced and proper diet.

“As a player, we cannot have whatever we like rather maintained diets which are helpful. Exercise must be maintained in order to stay fit and active,” he said.

As players, you must love the game you play, he said adding that “by doing so, you will begin to enjoy the game and also live a healthy life through your passion.”
 
Unity World Cup 2024 in Nagaland
SCI convenor Kennedy D' Silva said that this tournament is not just a competition in football but also to worship God, through the talent that He has given and to bring honour and glory through this event.

This tournament is the preparation for the India team that will participates in the forthcoming 4th edition of Unity World Cup 2022 to be held in Venezuela by December this year.

Silva also announced that the next Unity World Cup 2024 is likely to take place in India and targeting Nagaland as the venue. In this, he requested Government of Nagaland and the department of youth Resources & sports to take up the matter.

Later, Er Neikha thanked SCI convenor for such offer and assured full support and cooperation. Earlier, welcome address was delivered by GethemGo conevnor Dr Viposa Kiso.

The meet will conclude on May 12 with K. Neibou Sekhose, president Nagaland Football Association as guest of honour.

About Agape Cup 2022
Agape Cup 20022 is endorsed by Youth Resources & Sports department, Government of Nagaland and Nagaland Football Association. Agape Cup is an initiative of Christian Sports Ministries since 2013 which was envisaged by Sports Coalition of India. The tournament helps participants to have fellowship with players from different states and share their testimonies about what Christ has been doing in their lives.

DAY 1 results
Nagaland beat Assam 2-0
Kerala beat Arunachal Pradesh 7-1
Goa beat Tripura 2-0
Odisha beat Manipur 1-0
Kerala vs Jharkhand (2-2 draw)
 
Fixture for Day 2 (May 11)
8:30 am: Goa vs West Bengal
9:30 am: Madhya Pradesh vs Odisha
10:30 am: Nagaland vs Assam
11:30 am: Jharkhand vs Arunachal Pradesh
1:30 pm: West Bengal vs Tripura
2:30 pm: Madhya Pradesh vs Manipur