KHONSA, Sep 10: The 3rd Thansen Wangchadong Memorial Football Tournament with the theme “Drugs and Alcohol Free Tirap” began at Nehru Stadium, Khonsa on Tuesday.
In total, 28 teams from Tirap district are participating in the tournament. The winning team will be awarded with Rs 1 lakh, besides individual prizes.
Colonel Virendar Siddhu, CO 16 Assam Rifles, who kicked off the tournament, appreciated sponsor of the tournament, the Lowangdong family for providing a platform and opportunity to the youths of Tirap to show their talents.
The youth of Tirap must stay away from bad habits, like drugs addiction and alcoholism, Colonel Siddhu said and encouraged the youths of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts to take up sports.
MLA and Adviser to Chief Minister, Wanglin Lowangdong, the main force behind the sporting event, urged all the participating teams to play the game in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
Throwing light on the main objectives of organizing the tournament, Lowangdong urged the youths of Tirap to stay away from drugs addiction and alcoholism.
Tirap is one of the worst districts, when it comes to drugs addiction, alcoholism and opium cultivation, he said.
Explaining the importance of games and sports in daily life, Lowangdong said, playing sports help us stay physically fit, healthy and mentally sound.
Lowangdong further said that he, along with MLA Wanglam Sawin has taken initiative for sanctioning Rs 30 crore for construction of Nehru Stadium, Khonsa to which the chief minister has forwarded the matter to the central government for early approval.
Prominent public leader Loanhang Wangha threw light on life history of late Thansen Wangchadong, who was affectionately called as ‘Rani Maa’ or ‘Borduria Rani’ by the Noctes of Tirap district.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, Secretary TWMFT, 2017 Nahang Tangjang urged the youth to make a gainful career out of sports.
Later, Noah Mongku, athletic coach administered the oath to all the captains of the participating teams.
Tirap DC P N Thungon, ADC, SP, ZPC, HoDs, PRI leaders and hundreds of football lovers witnessed the inaugural match played between Crazy Soccer FC and Chinkoi FC, in which the former defeated the latter 2-0.
The tournament is being organized by the Tirap District Sports Association. (DIPRO)
