The Tongdentsuyong Youth Association (TYA) on Saturday successfully organised the first edition of the Inter Block Futsal Running Trophy on the theme, “Where Passion Meets Community,” bringing together ward youths and members through a day of sporting activities.
The opening programme was graced by Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) Councillor Imkongsanen Imchen as the chief guest, while Junior Engineer, Department of Rural Development, Government of Nagaland, Moatemsu attended the closing programme as the guest of honour.
An exhibition match between the Tongdentsuyong Ward Council and the Young Married Family players marked one of the highlights of the event. Altogether, seven matches were played during the one-day tournament.
The tournament featured four teams each in the boys’ and girls’ categories. Block 3 emerged as the overall champion, winning both the boys’ and girls’ titles. In the boys’ category, Block 4 finished as runners-up, while Block 1 secured the runners-up position in the girls’ category.
Addressing the gathering during the opening ceremony, Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) Councillor, Imkongsanen Imchen said that following the silver jubilee celebration of Tongdentsuyong Colony, the colony has been making steady progress through collective efforts.
Emphasising a sense of belonging, he reminded the youths that although residents hail from different villages, Tongdentsuyong ward is the community where they now live and should regard it as their own. He urged them to instill a sense of patriotism and responsibility towards the colony.
Imchen acknowledged that the colony had experienced periods of inconsistency in the past but said the present colony council has shown renewed focus and commitment, particularly in empowering the youth. He noted that the council’s support for youth activities is evident and should continue.
Referring to the tournament’s theme, “Where Passion Meets Community,” he said the event should strengthen the spirit of commitment and sacrifice for the welfare and development of the colony.
Calling on the colony council to continue supporting youth initiatives, Imchen said empowering young people is the strongest foundation for taking the colony forward. He appealed for sustained cooperation between the council and the youth in building a stronger community.
Describing the Inter Block Futsal Tournament as a commendable initiative, he said the running trophy would help guide and encourage the younger generation through sports. He also thanked the parents for their presence and support, saying their encouragement would motivate the youths.
Recalling his own association with the Tongdentsuyong Youth Association as a member, Imchen said he had always hoped to see the colony united, and expressed confidence that the futsal tournament would serve as another step towards strengthening unity and togetherness among the colony members.
Speaking during the programme, Tongdentsuyong Ward Council Chairman Imtichizung Ozükum encouraged the ward youths to remain committed to their passion while maintaining discipline in all aspects of life. He urged educated youths, including degree holders, to actively contribute to the welfare and development of the society and community, saying that while sports are important, what one gives back to the community is of even greater significance.
Speaking on the objectives of the tournament, Tongdentsuyong Youth Association Sports Secretary Toshi Aier said the Inter Block Futsal Tournament has been introduced as a running trophy to provide a grassroots platform for the ward youths to develop their footballing abilities and prepare themselves for higher levels of competition.
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He said the initiative aims to nurture young players by giving them opportunities to compete within the colony, learn from senior players and gradually build the confidence and experience required for bigger platforms. He expressed hope that such grassroots efforts would help produce players capable of representing the ward in the annual Inter-Ward Football Tournament organised by the Marepkong Youth Association and, eventually, progress to district-level competitions under the Mokokchung District Football Association and higher stages such as the Nagaland Super League (NSL).
Referring to the inclusion of girls’ futsal matches in the tournament, Aier said the association also wants to encourage greater participation of young women in sports by providing them with similar opportunities to compete and develop their skills. He said futsal offers another pathway for aspiring players and that even if one may not ultimately succeed in football, they can still pursue futsal competitively and excel in the sport.
Aier said the association had earlier introduced the Tongdentsuyong Football League with the same objective of preparing youths for competitive football. While acknowledging that not every player would reach the highest level, he said even producing a few quality players from the ward would make the initiative worthwhile.
Besides sports development, he said the tournament also seeks to strengthen the relationship between the ward’s youths and council members by encouraging regular interaction, mutual understanding and support. He added that the association hopes such initiatives will promote better coordination, harmony and unity among colony members.
He said the girls’ futsal category is equally important as it encourages young women to take up the sport, develop their skills from the grassroots level and gain confidence through regular competition, creating opportunities for them to progress to higher levels in the future.
Describing the event as a community driven initiative, Aier said the one-day tournament carries no prize money and is being organised through contributions from the ward’s youths, which has a membership of around 400. He said the association intends to continue the tournament as an annual running trophy from this year onwards.
Aier further said the association is committed to promoting both the physical and mental well-being of colony members through sporting activities and plans to organise more programmes in the future.
Noting that Mokokchung now has around seven futsal turfs, he said the association hopes young people, including girls, will make good use of the available facilities for regular training, exercise and skill development.
