Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio graced the closing function of the XXII Inter-District Football Championship Dr. T. Ao Trophy, 2022 as the Chief Patron at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung on 29th April 2022. The Championship was organized by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and hosted by the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) in commemoration of 50 glorious years of NFA.
Delivering his address on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, North East is the talent bank of the country in the field of games and sports. Naga youth too have tremendous talent and potential but due to factors like poor infrastructure and a lack of an eco-system that promotes sports, the State has not been able to produce results on par with other regions of the country. To this effect he said that the Government has come up with dedicated effort to create an eco system of sports that will enable the state to produce champions at the highest level.
Mentioning about the exemplary performances of the newly created district of the state in the championship, he said there is tremendous scope and potential not only in sports but in all section of life for the youths to scale any height, given the opportunity. He also urged all the participants to be inspired by the achievements of the Nagaland’s great son, Dr. T. Ao, so that they all strive to attain and emulate similar standards in the days to come.
Short speeches were also delivered by Minister, PWD (Housing & Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum and Vice President NFA, Kiyeka S. Sumi. Vote of thanks was proposed by Convener, Planning & Organizing Committee, Merentoshi R. Jamir.
In the final match, Dimapur district defeated Mon District 2-0 to lift the XXII Inter District Championship Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2022. The individual awards winners are: Best Goalkeeper- Hemuka (Dimapur); Best defender- Sanyem Konyak (Mon); Best Midfielder- Toka Assumi (Dimapur); Highest Goal Scorer- Yhunshalo Kent (Tseminyu); Player of the Tournament- Kakhevi Assumi (Dimapur).
(DPRO Mokokchung)
