Mangan, July 31:The Independence Day Football Tournament, organised by the North District Football Association (NDFA), commenced today at the Mangan Public Ground.
The inaugural programme was attended by SP Mangan and President of NDFA, Rinzing Chopel Rai, Advisor NDFA Chumkee Saring, Counsellors Mangan Nagar Panchayat, Tshering Pintso Saring and Norbu Rinchen Lepcha, Executive Members of NDFA, General Secretary State Level Youth Wing Yogen Rai, District Level Committee (DLC) Youth Convener, Mangan District, Tashi Norbu Lachungpa, DLC Youth Vice Convener, Mangan District, Rinzing Namgyal Bhutia, DLC Youth General Secretary, Mangan District, Tsewang Phurba Sherpa, District Youth In charge, Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha, District Social Media Coordinator, Durgey Tsonglimboo, CLC Youth General Secretary, Lachen, Moses Lepcha, along with other invitees.
Established and officially registered in 2012, the North District Football Association has been actively promoting football and sports development in the district. Besides organising football tournaments, the association conducts winter coaching camps and inter school football programmes to encourage young talent. It also extends support to other sporting disciplines such as taekwondo and archery. The Association is affiliated to the Sikkim Football Association and continues to play a significant role in nurturing sports culture in North Sikkim.
A total of 19 teams are participating in this year’s tournament. The opening match was played today between PM SHRI Mangan Senior Secondary School and Mangan Rehabilitation Centre. PM Shri Mangan Senior Secondary School delivered an impressive performance, defeating Mangan Rehabilitation Centre by 6-0 to register the first victory of the tournament.
The matches were officiated by referees from the Sikkim Football Association, including National Referee Mighty Tamang, along with State Referees
Bandana Limboo, Phurzingla Lepcha and Songden Lepcha.
The inaugural programme also featured a pipe band performance by PM SHRI Mangan Senior Secondary School, followed by cultural performances presented by various dance groups.
On the occasion, DLC Youth Convener Tashi Norbu Lachungpa presented a cash incentive to the player who scored the tournament’s first goal. As a gesture of appreciation, token cash awards were also presented to the pipe band team and the cultural groups for their performances.
The tournament will continue over the coming days, with the remaining participating teams competing for the championship title as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
