Tourney revive after 10 years

**Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma addresses the gathering during the opening ceremony of the Rangshakona Invitational Football Tourney at Rangshakona on 7 Sept**

SHILLONG, SEPT 7: Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs Zenith Sangma today kicked off the Rangsakona Invitational Football Tournament 2017 at the impressive opening ceremony at Rangsakona Govt Higher Secondary School Playground in South West Garo Hills .

In his inaugural address, the Sports Minister said that the tournament which is being held after a gap of 10 years, would provide a platform for the upcoming local teams from across Garo Hills to display their talents, adding the intention of the government is to organize tournaments at the grassroots levels so that local youths can be motivated and their talents can be exposed. He informed that the qualified teams of this tournament would lock horns with invited teams from outside, including Navajyoti Club, Guwahati, Langsning Sports Club, Shillong, United FC, Goalpara Assam and Shillong Lajong Juniors FC.

Highlighting the features of Mission Football which was launched in the State recently, he informed that grassroot centres for coaching of sporting talents at the grassroots level would be established across the state under the Mission and announced that Rangsakona would be one of such centres. He also informed that under the Mission it would be mandatory that every sportsperson should become a good athlete first and the government would start “sports testing” to test the potentiality of young boys and girls between the age group of 8 to 10 years, who would be groomed properly to become good football players. “The conventional way of selection of good players is time consuming so the government has decided to introduce sports testing which would help to identify talents within a short time”, he added. He also urged upon the youth to look at football as a good career option and bring laurels not only to the State but also to the nation as a whole.

In her brief address, Director, Sports & Youth Affairs, Matsiewdor War-Nongbri said that the department is looking at building a healthy and creative state through the conduct of such tournaments, while the Deputy Commissioner CVD Diengdoh, who is also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said that the government was actively promoting sports and encouraging talents right from the grassroots level, adding that such tournaments would inspire and motivate our youth to play and excel in football. Assistant Director, Sports & Secretary, organizing committee, J.P Marak also spoke on the occasion.

A total of 12 teams are taking part in the tournament from different parts of Garo Hills. The opening match was played between Rangsakona FC and Druma Sandruma FC from Tura.

By Our Reporter