The inaugural edition of the Frontier Trophy football tournament came to a dramatic close on Wednesday at the Noklak local ground, with Minimum Wagers clinching the championship title after an intense final match against Rising Ballers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organized by the Khiamniungan Students\u2019 Union under the theme \u201cFight Against Drugs,\u201d the tournament kicked off on March 5 with 10 participating teams. The event marked a significant milestone in the district\u2019s sporting history as the first tournament to involve a licensed coach and include five under-20 players per team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a fitting finale, Minimum Wagers and Rising Ballers, who had also contested the opening match of the tournament, faced each other again for the trophy. The match was a closely fought battle, drawing loud cheers from spectators throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tangsoi (21) of Minimum Wagers opened the scoring in the first half, giving his team an early advantage. In the second half, Thangpong (16) of Rising Ballers equalized with a crucial goal. The tie did not last long, as Tangsoi struck again to reclaim the lead for Minimum Wagers. In the dying minutes of the match, Muthiu (77) sealed the win with a decisive goal, bringing the final score to 3-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the individual award, Golden Ball was bagged by Methiu (77) of Minimum Wagers; Most Promising Player by Payio (17) of Nokhu Students\u2019 Union; Golden Boot by Lamshong (7) of Haimei Society Tsuwao; and Golden Glove by Bem (47) of Rising Ballers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his closing remarks, Benei M Lamthiu, MLA Noklak lauded the Khiamniungan Students\u2019 Union for initiating the tournament, which he described as a much-needed platform for aspiring footballers. He praised the organizers for aligning the event with the anti-drug message, calling it a cause close to his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamthiu highlighted the dangers of drug abuse, warning that it leads to generational harm and societal decline. He encouraged the 22 players of the two finalist teams to serve as ambassadors against drug abuse and to set an example for their peers. Stressing the importance of education and sports, he said both must be tools to combat social issues, beginning from the home and the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also emphasized that employment in government services cannot accommodate all youth in the state. Under chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio\u2019s leadership, he said, the state government has committed to developing sports as a viable career path, which led to the establishment of the Nagaland Super League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamthiu urged the public to support young talents and trust in the state\u2019s efforts to create opportunities through sports. \u201cThe world is watching, Nagaland is watching, football is watching,\u201d he said, encouraging sportsmanship and discipline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also stressed that all football tournaments must be conducted with the knowledge and support of the District Football Association and the Nagaland Football Association to ensure proper management and recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President of the Football Association Noklak District, Okei commended the players selected to represent the district at the Dr. T. Ao Trophy and acknowledged Lamthiu\u2019s role as general secretary of the Nagaland Football Association. He noted that players from Noklak had also participated in the recently concluded Nagaland Super League under Lamthiu\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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