Trojans Club Zunheboto officials along with stakeholders at the second edition of the Dr KC Nihoshe Memorial Trophy Open Football Championship at the District Sports Complex (DSC) Ground, Zunheboto, on November 4. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | November 4
The second edition of the Dr KC Nihoshe Memorial Trophy Open Football Championship, organised by the Trojans Club Zunheboto, commenced with an inaugural ceremony at the District Sports Complex (DSC) Ground, Zunheboto, on November 4. The tournament will continue until November 18, with six teams competing for the trophy.
The opening ceremony was moderated by Hekato Yeptho, Advisor, while the invocation was pronounced by Ilo Achumi, Assistant Pastor (C). Hokato Yeptho, President of Trojans Club Zunheboto, delivered the welcome address and urged the participating teams to uphold sportsmanship, mutual respect and discipline throughout the competition. He wished all teams success and expressed hope that the best team would emerge victorious.
A special number was presented by Toki Z Chishi, followed by a short address by Heto N Yeptho, entrepreneur and chief organiser of the tournament. He expressed gratitude to the organising team, programme officials, gaon buras (GBs), players and leaders who had gathered for the second edition of the memorial tournament instituted in honour of his late father, Dr KC Nihoshe.
Heto acknowledged the contributions of Isac Z Yeptho, Aghacho Real Estate, Dimapur, and Niuto Awomi, Chairman of East Dimapur Town Council, who shouldered major responsibilities in organising the tournament. He also appreciated the Trojans Club for taking the initiative and working over an extended period to ensure the successful conduct of the championship.
Expressing hope that the partnership and collective efforts behind the tournament would create more opportunities for sports development in Zunheboto, he acknowledged the contribution of MLA and Advisor K Tokugha Sukhalu, particularly in facilitating the installation of high-mast lights at the ground.
He also expressed optimism that ongoing efforts to develop a new football ground would materialise under Sukhalu’s leadership, while praying for wisdom and blessings upon the leadership and the people of Zunheboto.
Encouraging the participating teams, Heto stressed that winning should not be the sole objective and that discipline, sportsmanship and the true spirit of the game must remain paramount.
He observed that while the Dr KC Nihoshe Memorial Trophy currently provides a platform for local footballers, Zunheboto should aspire to organise sporting events on a much larger scale, drawing inspiration from established platforms such as the Dr T Ao Trophy. He expressed hope that future editions of the championship would be organised on a bigger and better scale, with improved facilities and wider participation.
The ceremony also featured an oath-taking administered by Kakihe Shohe, Sports Secretary, before the formal declaration of the tournament.
The championship, which had 10 participating teams in its previous edition, has six teams competing this year. The teams have been divided into two groups.
Group A comprises Hiyo Football Club, Kiyelho Memorial Team and Brotherhood United, while Group B comprises Heto’s XI, King Hornet and Avizuyeto FC.
According to the fixtures, the group-stage matches will be played over the first two days, followed by the semi-finals on the third day and the final on the fourth day. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, where the group champions will face the runners-up of the opposite groups.
