North East Zone Inter-University Football Tournament Kicks Off at Nagaland University
Lumami : The North East Zone Inter-University (Men) Football Tournament, a prestigious regional sporting event, commenced with great enthusiasm at Nagaland University, Lumami. The tournament, set to span five days, has drawn teams from universities across all eight northeastern states. The opening ceremony took place at the Dr T Ao Football Ground and was marked by inspiring speeches and lively performances.
The ceremony was led by Dr Ashutosh Tripathi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Nagaland University, who set the tone for the event by quoting Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho: “I learned all about life with a ball at my feet.” Dr Tripathi’s words emphasized football’s life lessons and the value of sports in shaping character and fostering resilience.
Dr Harish Kumar Tiwari, Organizing Secretary and DDS, welcomed attendees, recalling the legacy of Dr T Ao, India’s first football captain after independence and a celebrated figure in Nagaland. He highlighted the tournament as both a competition and a celebration of unity, talent, and sportsmanship among northeast states.
Guest of Honour, Dr Abemo, Registrar of Nagaland University, described the tournament as a milestone for Nagaland University, which is hosting a Northeast football tournament for the first time. He underscored sports’ role in personal development and community building, expressing optimism that the players’ presence would resonate with the local community and showcase the university’s progress.
Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor Prof J K Patnaik of Nagaland University, warmly welcomed teams from across the region, acknowledging the logistical challenges the northeast terrain presents but noting the region’s increasing influence in national sports, especially through the Indian Super League (ISL). Prof Patnaik paid tribute to Dr T Ao’s legacy with an anecdote on Ao’s choice to play barefoot, saying, “You play football with foot, not boot.” He urged players to bring their best performance to the tournament and demonstrate true sportsmanship.
The ceremony also included a vibrant cultural performance by the Nagaland University Students’ Union (Lumami), followed by a vote of thanks from Dr Ashish Kumar, Hindi Officer, Nagaland University. The tournament was officially inaugurated after an oath-taking ceremony, with the first match between Manipur University and Tripura University ending in an intense penalty shootout, with Tripura edging out Manipur 5-4 after a 1-1 draw in regular time. Guwahati University triumphed over Tezpur University 1-0 in the second match.
According to Nagaland University’s Public Relations Officer Peter Ki, the tournament will follow a knockout format initially, with the top four teams advancing to league matches. These top-performing teams will earn the opportunity to compete in the All India Inter-Zonal Tournament at GNA University in Phagwara, Punjab, and possibly secure a place in the upcoming Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2024-25.
Nineteen university teams are competing in this tournament, representing all eight northeastern states. Matches are being held at both the Dr T Ao Football Ground in Lumami and the Mokokchung local ground. Organized under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, this tournament is a significant platform for young footballers to demonstrate their skills and advance to the national level.
