Shillong, Dec 6: The Nissan Junior Cup was formally inaugurated by Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy at the JN Indoor Stadium here today.
The tournament, which will begin on 8th December, has been organised by Pay For Right Shillong.
The competition is open for boys aged six to 15 years and will be divided into six categories (6-7 year olds, 8 year olds, 9-10 year olds, 11-12 year olds, 13 year olds and 14-15 year olds) to be held across four venues – Polo Ground, Madan Heh Mini Stadium Mawlai, Laban SC Indoor Stadium and Shillong Public School Ground.
The objective of the tournament is to promote junior football in the state and to select the left out, yet talented, players to groom them in PFR’s Soccer Camp and to polish their skill and talent.
There will be Player of the Day prizes and cash awards and trophies for the winners and runners-up teams. The Player of the Tournament will receive a bicycle.
Roy, who spent some time in Shillong in his early years, commented that he was familiar with Polo Ground in the days when we still had a racecourse in Shillong and he urged the participants to play the game in the spirit of fairness.
The Governor also felicitated former India international footballer Rocus Lamare (presentation pictured) during the function.
Encouraging words were also provided by NEEPCO Executive Director Anil Kumar, All India Football Federation Development Officer Andrew Suting, Meghalaya Football Association CEO Arki Nongrum and Hynniewtrep Youth Council President Robert Kharjahrin.
(TSR photo)