Defending champs Vanguard FC Tseminyu takes Capt Kenguruse Football Trophy 2018

The champions celebrates after receiving the trophy in Kohima

Defending champions Vanguard FC Tseminyu defended their title as they beat Nerhema FC 2-0 in the final match to retain the title of the 4rd edition of 4th edition of Capt Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament (state level) at the Kohima local ground on Friday.

The tournament was organised by the Assam Rifles in honour of the late soldier Captain Neikezhakuo Kengruse, Maha Vir Chakra who sacrificed his life for the country during the Kargil war in 1999.

Vanguard FC received a cash prize of 1. 75 lakhs while the runners up i.e Nerhema FC 80000.  The two semi-finalists Naga Terriers and Green Club were awarded with INR 25,000 each.

Vanguard FC , the captain Yhanshalo Kemp broke the deadlock in the first half to give the lead, and Sinenlo Kath found the back of the net in the second half to finish the game for Vanguard FC. With ten goals in five matches, Yhanshalo became the highest goal scorer of the tournament to win the golden boot award.

Individual awards

Rhitsho Mero of Vanguard FC: player of the tournament

Yhanshalo Kemp of Vanguard FC (10 goals):  golden boot

Medophrezo Kezieo of Nerhema FC: golden gloves 

Meet Nagaland Badminton champ: H Leihong Konyak

The 18 year old H Leihong Konyak emerged as the champions of men’s championship during the recently concluded 42nd Nagaland Inter District & State Open Badminton Championship 2018 held in Pfutsero under Phek district.

He defeated last year runners up Ankur Sangpang Rai by 21-9, 21-13 in the final match. Konyak also won the Under-19 boys single category during the championship.

According to the official website of Badminton Association of India, Konyak is ranked 48th for junior Under-19 players in boys’ singles category of All India ranking.

Konyak said “I feel happy to be the champion; this is one of my aims in my badminton career. As a kid when I started playing, I always wanted to win this tournament. This is just a beginning and I am looking forward to win in bigger tournaments as well.

“I am determined to work harder and represent the country at the international level and I want to achieve every big title and to be world no.1,” he opined.

Konyak is from Mon town, the youngest of the six siblings with a brother and four sisters. He is currently pursuing B.A first semester under Gauhati University, while he is also training at Assam Badminton Academy under Coach Edwin Iriawan ever since 2016.

He started playing badminton at the tender age of 10 when his dad Honshong konyak introduced him to the game during the inter district tournament that was held in Mon district (2010).

“From that day onwards this game fascinated me and I took it as my hobby. And gradually I started liking this game a lot and I give my best to this game, said Konyak.

Konyak started participating in the inter district tournament at the age of 11 and has won many titles to his name.

While hoped and wished that there is badminton academy in the state in order to train the young talented players stating that there are a lot of young raw talented players in the state