WSSA XI (White) and USFC (Blue) players in action during the friendly match at the DDSC Stadium, Dimapur on March 11. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 11
On March 11, the Dimapur District Sports Council (DDSC) Stadium witnessed a sizeable crowd, who turned up to watch the friendly between the Western Sumi Sports Association (WSSA) XI and Sikkim United FC (USFC) led by two former India captains— Baichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh. Advisor, Power, H Tovihoto Ayemi was in attendance as special guest.
The match kicked off with a commanding WSSA XI side getting control of the ball for most part of the first-half. Pitoshe scored the opening goal of the match for WSSA XI with a pass from Kakhevi. Minutes later, the second goal for WSSA came with a goal from Maghapu. In the second-half, USFC looked to have gained their footing with better ball possession and more goal scoring opportunities coming their way. Their efforts were finally paid off when Singh found the net for USFC just outside the penalty box.
Bhutia followed suit in the dying minutes of the second half making it 2-2.
The players from both the teams, except for the two veterans, were from the U16 and U17 categories.
Speaking exclusively to The Morung Express after the match, WSSA XI skipper, Kakhevi Assumi commented, “Our boys gave their best and likewise they (USFC) gave their best too. By God’s grace we played an extremely dominating match and I’m grateful to have led the team throughout.” He added, “It will be really helpful if they can organise such matches in the future. The experience that the youngsters can gain from competing against such teams will boost the state’s overall performance in football.”
Samsung Lepcha, USFC player was all praise for the local side. Lepcha said, “The players from the other team are very professional in their playing style.” Another commented, “The audience, players and the overall atmosphere was really good. We really enjoyed a lot.”
Hoping for a fruitful outcome
Alobo Naga, one of the brains behind the event, said, “The event went really well and we got a really good response from the audience as the stadium was almost full. We are really grateful to the people who came forward not just because of us but for the cause. We believe that this small beginning will develop into a fruitful outcome, where we will see our players going out and representing Nagaland and India in the future.”
The event headlined: Match for a Cause was a promotional for a long-term collaborative project, between the Western Sumi Sports Association and entrepreneurs, among which includes Alobo Naga and YouthNet, Chothao Rakho of Atoqa Tea Production Co Ltd, to develop grassroots football in Nagaland. As announced by the mission planners on March 1, the first step would be to train coaches targeting the under-14 category.
According to Alobo, the event was the result of Youth Net, Atoka of the WSSA and Musik-A got together to invite Bhutia and Singh “as they are both friends of ours.”
In the post-match entertainment programme in the evening, a host of artists such as Alobo Naga, NK Naga, Dreamz Unlimited and Kekhrie Ringa took the stage. A surprise appearance by Inglish Maker, a popular YouTuber from Assam, further worked up the crowd.
In a separate press release, the Media Cell to the Advisor Department of Power informed that the special guest, H Tovihoto Ayemi, in his address at the event, emphasised the impact of grassroots football and how the sport has brought people together. “Football has brought together people from all over the world regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity, to inspire and unite everyone. Similarly, it has brought the people of the sister states of the north-eastern region in the age-old spirit of brotherhood and unity for a cause,” Ayemi was quoted as stating.
He said that sustainable development not only needs good political governance, but also platforms such as this event to bring people together for a common goal.
