[ Prafulla Kaman ]
NARI-SEREN, Jan 16: The third season and the last edition of the Tumpak Koyu Memorial (Block Level) Football Tournament got underway at Nari town in Lower Siang district on Tuesday.
The tournament is organized by the Ramle Banggo Football Association (RBFA) in collaboration with the local administration, and sponsored by the family of Tumpak Koyu in memory of their late father, who made immense contributions to the society.
In the opening match, held at Daying Ering football stadium, Namey Football Club beat host Nari by 5-3 goals.
Jumbo Doke of Namey team scored the first goal for his team in the first half of the match (1-0). However, Kaling Lego of Nari netted a goal for his team in early second half, making the score 1-1, and the game ended in a draw.
Even though 10 minutes extra time was allotted for the match, none of the team scored a goal.
In the penalty shootout, Namey team scored four goals with overall five goals (4+1) and Nari team netted only two goals with total score of 3 (2+1).
Earlier, declaring the match open, Nari-Koyu MLA Kento Rina said the tournament has provided the right platform for sportspersons of Nari-Koyu constituency to expose their hidden talent.
Exhorting the sportspersons to maintain true sportsman spirit during the tournament, he expressed hope that the football players of his constituency would be able to represent the district in the Tadar Tang Memorial Football Tournament.
Nari ADC Bani Lego urged the players to maintain discipline and brotherhood among them, while EAC A Koyu recalled the social contributions made by his late father, Tumpak Koyu.
Organizing Chairman Gami Bomjen appealed to the people to maintain peace for successful conduct of the tournament.
Late Tumpak Koyu was a renowned social activist of then undivided Siang district, who worked for eradication of the social evils.
On Wednesday morning, the Depi football team will lock horns with Old-Deka team, while the Telam team will face Seren team in the second match. The Kakki team will vie with the Tabiripo team in the afternoon match of the tournament.
The final match of the tournament is scheduled to be held on 26 January.
