The North East Zone Inter-University (Men) Football Tournament kicked off at Nagaland University in Lumami on November 11, marking an exciting start to a five-day competition among university teams from across the northeastern states. Held at the Dr. T. Ao Football Ground, the tournament began with an inspiring inaugural ceremony celebrating the region’s athletic talent.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr Ashutosh Tripathi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Environmental Studies at Nagaland University, who set a motivating tone for the tournament by quoting Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho: “I learned all about life with a ball at my feet.” Dr Tripathi’s words captured the spirit of the event, which aims to foster not only competition but also camaraderie and personal growth.
The Organising Secretary of the tournament, Dr Harish Kumar Tiwari, delivered a welcome address, paying tribute to Dr T. Ao, the first football captain of independent India and a significant figure in Nagaland’s sporting history. Dr. Tiwari shared his excitement for the tournament, viewing it as a platform for promoting unity, talent, and sportsmanship. He encouraged the participants to make the most of the event and to see it as a meaningful experience for personal and collective development.
Registrar of Nagaland University, Dr. Abemo, served as the Guest of Honour, acknowledging the milestone of hosting this Northeast tournament for the first time at the university. He highlighted the role of sports in fostering social bonds and personal growth and expressed hope that the tournament would make a positive impact on the community.
Chief Guest Prof. J.K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, extended a warm welcome to the teams and acknowledged the logistical challenges posed by the region’s geography. He noted the rising prominence of Northeast players in national sports, particularly in the Indian Super League (ISL). Reflecting on Dr T. Ao’s legacy, Prof. Patnaik shared an anecdote about Dr Ao’s choice to play barefoot, quoting, “You play football with foot, not boot.” He encouraged participants to give their best and embody sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
The opening ceremony concluded with a cultural performance by the Nagaland University Students’ Union, Lumami (NUSU-L), and a vote of thanks from Dr. Ashish Kumar, Hindi Officer at Nagaland University.
After an oath-taking ceremony, the tournament was declared open, with the first match between Manipur University and Tripura University. The game ended in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, with Tripura University claiming victory at 5-4. In the day’s second match, Guwahati University edged out Tezpur University with a 1-0 win.
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According to a press release by Nagaland University’s Public Relations Officer, Peter Ki, the tournament will follow a knockout format for the initial rounds, leading to league matches between the top four teams. These teams will advance to represent the Northeast at the All India Inter-Zonal Tournament scheduled to be held at GNA University in Phagwara, Punjab. Out of the 32 teams that will represent India’s eight zones, eight will qualify for the upcoming Khelo India University Games (KIUG) for the 2024-25 session.
Nineteen universities from the eight northeastern states are participating in the tournament, with matches hosted at both the Dr. T. Ao Football Ground in Lumami and the Mokokchung local ground. The event is organised under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, and aims to provide a valuable platform for young athletes from the region to compete at a higher level.
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