A one-day penalty shootout tournament was held at Public Ground, Longleng organised by Longleng District Football Association (LDBA) on July 12 with EAC Longleng, C Tsalimse, as the special guest.

In his address, Tsalimse said that Longleng district’s football landscape has faced challenges, but recent initiatives offer hope. The District Sports Council Longleng, led by the Deputy Commissioner, has proposed a structured framework for sports development, modelled after the Angami Sports Association, he said adding, this proposal includes village-level competitions, with winners progressing to area, district, and potentially state-level events.

He informed that the new District Sports Officer has been approached with a proposal to recognize the Phom Sports Association, which could bring much-needed organization to the district’s sports scene. Key to the success of this initiative will be the collaboration of all stakeholders and associations, he added.

He also said that the focus of such tournaments should extend beyond winning or losing, emphasizing unity, brotherhood, discipline, and character-building among the people of Longleng. By coming together, the community can foster a spirit of togetherness that transcends individual villages, ultimately benefiting the district as a whole. He also declared the tournament open, he further said.

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President Phom People Council, YB Angam Phom, also delivered a short message during the programme.

Altogether, 27 teams took part in the tournament, where Muli ward emerged the first and Rockey Club Orangkong bagged the second prize.

Welcome address was delivered by President Longleng District Football Association while invocation was pronounced by Associate Pastor for Youth LTBC, Tanhaü and the program was chaired by L Chuli Phom.