Staff reporter
DIPHU, Sep 28: The 3rd Inter Parish Knock Out Football Tournament organised in loving memory of Fr. Matthew Thomas by Inter Parish Football Committee at KASA Stadium, Diphu ended today with the final match played between Umrongso and Satgaon Parish.
The final was a closely contested match, but Umrongso Parish was able to defeat their opponent with a score of 4-3. For Umrongso, goals were scored by Stephen Timung, Avinash Engti, Stephen Hanse and Mercus Chingthong. For the Satgaon Parish Aiwikson Sangma, Jack Sangma and Reveren Sangma wrote their name on the scoresheet.
The pre-match ceremony was attended as the chief guest by KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang. While addressing the gathering, he encouraged the young and talented footballer of the district to showcase their talent.
“This is a very good initiative taken by the organising committee and it should be a running tournament because we can meet and interact with people coming from different places” said the CEM while praising the organiser.
The 3rd Inter knock-out Football Tournament Organising Committee president Bibison Tisso said that a total of 18 teams participated in the tournament. Among them were Dokmoka, Maujem, Sarihajan, Disobai, Sojong, Dolamara, Chokihola, Diphu, Satgaon, Hamren, Umrongso, Hidipi, Langhemphi, Jirikindeng, Dhansiri, Rongbonghat, Japrajan and Langmili.
The president also said the main purpose of this tournament was to show the good path for the youths to look after their fitness and avoid using different kinds of intoxicated things. “Furthermore, we could also commemorate our forefathers those who worked hard for the upliftment of Parish,” he said.
The winning team was given away prize money of Rs. 50,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up received Rs. 30,000 and a trophy. The Best player of the Tournament (Golden Ball) was awarded to Jack Sangma of Satgaon Parish. Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament (Gold Glove) was awarded to Nobarson Timung of Umrongso Parish, while the Highest Scorer of the tournament was Stephen Hanse of Umrongso Parish with 8 goals.
Guests present in the presentation ceremony were KAAC EMs Richard Tokbi, Amorsing Tisso, Kangbura Killing, MACs Johny Timung, Pabitra Rongpi, KASA general secretary Dr. Pankaj Teron, V.G Diphu Dosease Fr. John Timung, Fr. Anthony Engti, Fr. Nelson Teron, Fr. Navinson Engti, and Catholic Church elders and other dignitaries.