21 teams vie for Tadar Tang Football tourney

From a Correspondent

Itagar, Dec 12: Aruchalees after winning regiol, tiol and global laurels in various sports categories should make its mark in tiol soccer canvas, said Aruchal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) President Takam Sanjay here today.

The AFPA team, among eight NE state teams, had created history while playing in 11-day Dr T Ao NE Football Championship, sponsored by North East Council, at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here in October last by defeating state’s league champion Todo United FC to represent Aruchal Pradesh at 14th ONGC NE Tamchon Tourment, played at Dr. B R Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi.

It had won bronze medal and Rs 2 lakh, Sanjoy recalled while talking to APFA media adviser Pradeep Kumar.

NE’s soccer jewel Indrajit mchoom had excelled in football representing India in Youth Asian Soccer Tourment at Saigon, Vietm in 1964 and Santosh Trophy in 1959 before rising to the rank of a minister, Sanjoy said, adding the Tadar Tang Memorial Football Tourment showcases APFA’s sincere efforts to promote soccer by nurturing the potential players across the state.

Besides Mithi, Sanjoy himself and former CM bam Tuki are excellent football players of the State.

Besides Dr T Ao (1918-1998), who had captained Independent India’s first tiol football team to take part in London Olympics-1948, tiol competition during 1943-1952 on behalf of Mohun Bagan, the NE region has produced many skilled football stars, like Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua to set a benchmark in tiol and intertiol ares to prove as new football powerhouse in India, Sanjoy said, adding it is high time for Aruchal players to carve a niche for themselves.

The players have been cautioned to strictly play toeing sportsmen spirit, Sanjay said and made a fervent appeal to the soccer lovers to be equally disciplined and encourage the players by wholehearted cooperation to exhibit their best for the state to make inroad into the prestigious Santosh Trophy.

The 15th edition rechristened as Tadar Tang Football Tourment (TTFT) would be conducted at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here during December 17-28 next with all 20 districts and Aruchal Pradesh Police team confirming their participation, APFA Secretary Kipa Ajay said.

The TTFT the biggest football event of the state, with the largest ever teams playing in it would offer a platform to budding footballers to prove their excellence, he said, adding in all 18 teams had taken part in 14th event played at Tezu last year.

The All India Football Federation has entrusted the APFA with the responsibility to select soccer players for 71st Santosh Trophy, slated at Shillong during January-February next year, he disclosed.

Tourism Parliamentary Secretary and state government spokesman Passang Dorjee So, who would kick off the tourment, said that the state government, attaching top priority to promote games and sports, has given sports quota in each department to meritorious sports persons under its sports policy.

The quota has been hiked to 10 per cent of jobs in police department, he said and exhorted the players to prove their mettle to get a job at a time when jobs are becoming too scarce.