Young players from northeast showcase skills at football tournaments

Government Chawngfiang Middle School from Mizoram won the Sub-Junior Under-14 title of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament here by defeating Esteqalal School from Afghanistan.

Both sides gave each other tough competition but the Mizoram team won the match 3-2 after scoring the decisive goal in the extra time.

The winning team received a cash prize of Rs.2.5 lakh while the runners-up took home Rs. 1.25 lakh.

The title of the best player was won by Chhunga Hmar from Mizoram, and he received Rs.40, 000 in cash and a laptop.

Lalthawmmawia, a coach of Mizoram team, said, "In Mizoram we have lots of talented players. So we have regular training for young players by Mizoram Football Association. That is why we have good players and we could become the champion today."

Mc Zothansanga, player from Government Chawngfiang Middle School said, "Our team played well and we performed as well as we had practiced. It was possible only because of our effort. Last year we couldn't win in the semi-finals so we tried hard this year."

In an effort to uplift young players of the region and promote football at the grass root level, the Sunfeast Cup Football tournament for Under-13 and Under-16 categories was recently held at Guwahati's Nehru Stadium.

More than 30 teams participated in the 1st edition of the championship organized by Bangalore based STP Sports with sponsorship from ITC ltd.

The Assam State Academy and National Public School emerged champions in the U-16 and U-13 categories respectively and were awarded Rs. 25,000 each.

Similar tournaments will also be held in 5 other northeastern cities.

Chinmoy Borah, member of the organizing team said, "The main motto is to promote our Under-13 and Under-16 players. There are very few competitions in that category and in Assam there are only 2 tournaments for U-13 and U-16 players. So this competition has been organized so that our players get a platform to compete and improve their skills."

One of the players participating in the event said, "I am feeling very happy and we are glad that Sun feast has organized this tournament here. We do not usually get such opportunities and such events provide a good chance to the local teams.