Quarter Mess C.H.Q

ZURICH, SEP 9 (PTI):

Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday achieved yet another historic feat as he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League Finals title here. Chopra began with a foul but jumped to the top spot with a throw of 88.44m -- his fourth career best -- in his second attempt, and that turned out to be his winning effort. He had 88.00m, 86.11m, 87.00m and 83.60m in his next four throws.

Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic finished second with a best throw of 86.94m which he registered in his fourth attempt. Julian Weber of Germany was third with a best of 83.73m.

The 24-year-old Indian superstar is now the Olympic champion, World Championships silver medallist and Diamond League champion. All these he had achieved in just 13 months. He won the Olympic gold on August 7 last year in Tokyo. He has produced 88m-plus throws six times this season which showed his consistency. He holds the

Neeraj Chopra celebrates his victory in Men’s Javelin Throw at the Weltklasse Zurich 2022.

national record of 89.94m, which he achieved this season. Chopra also ended his international season with a history-scripting performance. The Diamond League Finals can be considered the most prestigious competition outside of the Olympics and World Championships.

It was Chopra’s third appearance in the Diamond League Finals. He had finished seventh and fourth respectively in 2017 and 2018.

Chopra was also awarded a Diamond Trophy, USD 30,000 prize money and a wild card for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

He, however, has already qualified for the World Championships as his Lausanne-leg winning throw breached the 85.20m qualifying mark.

The Diamond League encompasses 32 Diamond Disciplines, following a championship-style model. Athletes earn points at the 13-series meet to qualify for the final of their respective disciplines.

Chopra had made a spectacular return from a one-month injury lay-off by winning the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League series on August 26 and qualifying for the Finals here.

He had become the first Indian to clinch a Diamond League meet title in Lausanne with his third careerbest throw of 89.08m.

He had missed the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (July 28 to August 8) due to a minor groin injury he had suffered during his silver-winning performance in the World Championships in the USA in July.

The six-man field in Zurich was without world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who is recovering from injuries after he was assaulted inside a boat in his country last month.

With Thursday’s win, Chopra has beaten the 31-year-old Vadlejch for the fifth time since winning gold in Tokyo Olympic Games in August last year.

Vadlejch was sixth and fourth when Chopra finished second in Paavo Nurmi Games (June 14) and Stockholm Diamond League (June 30).

While Chopra won silver in World Championships in Eugene, Vadlejch clinched a bronze before the pair again clashed in Lausanne on August 26.

DIMAPUR, SEP 9 (NPN):

The ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has invited applications for Sports Awards for the year 2022.

According to SAI, STC Dimapur, centre incharge, H. Ibomcha Singh, the notifications have been uploaded in the website www.yas. nic.in . Applications from the eligible sportspersons/ coaches/entities/universities have been invited for the award through online mode.

The eligible applicants were permitted to self-apply without the recommendation of the authorities/ persons, at the online portal dbtyas-sports.gov.in. In case of any issue, the applicant can contact the department of sports at the e-mail section.sp4-moyas@gov.in or call at 011-23387432 from 9 am to 5:30 pm on any working day. The last date of submission of application is September 20. It may be noted that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India gave away the sports awards every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.

Players of team Nagaland at the Subroto Cup.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, SEP 9 (NPN): Team Nagaland has entered the quarter-finals of the 61st Subroto Cup Sub-Junior International Football Tournament at New Delhi on Friday after thrashing Haryana 5-0 in the last match of Pool-F.

Nagaland will now play Assam in the quarterfinals on September 11 at 7 pm.

With Friday’s win, Nagaland has now topped the Pool with 9 points.

Hat-trick scorer in the previous match, Kevisede opened the account for Nagaland in the 10th minute.

However, this time it was Nisede, who scored a hat-trick in 29th, 41th and 50th minutes of the game.

Moulso also scored for Nagaland in the 43rd minute which sealed the deal. In Friday’s matches, Assam won against Uttar Pradesh 3-0 to set up a clash against Nagaland team in the quarterfinals round.

The two neighbouring State teams will now play on September 11 at 7 p.m. Team Nagaland is made up of young players from Greenwood School Dimapur.

After a rest day on September 10, the quarter final matches will commence the next day.

The Cup is been played simultaneously at Dr. BR Ambedkar Stadium (Delhi Gate), Tejas Football Ground (Race Course), Subroto Park and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Only 16 players and two officials as set by the organizers are part of the team with Kechi as the team coach and Kevilebei as the manager.

KDFA felicitates K Neibou Sekhose

K Neibou Sekhose (C) with KDFA officials and other well-wishers. (NP)

KOHIMA, SEP 9 (NPN): Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) felicitated Nagaland Football Association (NFA) president, K Neibou Sekhose, on being elected as an Executive Committee Member in All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) at a ceremony held at 2K hotel, here on Friday.

In his speech, Sekhose shared on how he initially began working at his khel level and gradually progressed to State and at national level. He credited God’s grace for all the achievements and also thanked the people for the support so far.

He observed that it was important to start from a small level and then move on to the next after gaining experiences as one goes.

Giving a detailed insight into the election process of AIFF, Sekhose said it was conducted in a very meticulous manner under strict observation of the election commission.

Allaying all the rumours doing the rounds in the social media, Sekhose said he voted for the newly elected president Kalyan Chaubey with the only hope that under his leadership the game would reach newer heights at the same the Nagaland would also progress in the game along with the rest of the country.

He said the voting process was in no way on political lines but based solely on the hopes that the game would see progress all over the country.

He said all the 36 members of AIFF qualified for voting decided to show unity through the election.

Recalling his journey as a footballer, Sekhose said he started his career in the U-14 category representing the State in school games to Kashmir in 1976 and two years later to New Delhi.

He also represented North East Hills University (NEHU) at the university level.

During the ceremony Angami Sports Association (ASA), president, Er.Lhoubeizo Mere Kesiyie, said that although Nagaland is a small state in the country and is not much known to people outside the region, the induction of Sekhose in AIFF gives hope for Naga sportspersons to advance and excel in sports, particularly football.

A short speech was also given by KDFA president Mhasimhalie Matthew Yhome.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Medolenuo Ambrocia Loucü while invocation was pronounced by Immanuel Baptist Church, Kohima, pastor, Zakiebeituo Metha. A special number was presented by Rokovi Khawakhrie, while KDFA executive member, Pudil Tsükrü, proposed the vote of thanks.

Chelsea appoint Potter to succeed Tuchel as manager

Graham Potter

LONDON, SEP 9

(AGENCIES): Chelsea have appointed Graham Potter as their new manager following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. Potter has left fellow Premier League club Brighton to take up the role and has signed a five-year deal with the Blues.

The 47-year-old said he was “incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea”. His assistant Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay will join him at the Chelsea, who have paid Brighton in excess of £21m in compensation.

“We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea,” said the Stamford Bridge club’s chairman Todd Boehly.

“He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club.

Playfield inaugurated at Kohima village

K Neibou Sekhose (C-R) with L. Khel officials during the inaugural. (NP)

Correspondent

KOHIMA, SEP 9 (NPN):

A playfield for basketball and other games constructed under Rurban Mission 2019-2020 funded by Rural Development block Kohima was inaugurated at Lhisemia Khel, Kohima village on Friday.

Speaking as the guest at the inaugural programme, joint director, Rural Development, K Neibou Sekhose, lauded L Khel council for the successful completion of the playfield.

He disclosed that initially the project faced some obstacles and that the department had to go up to Delhi to obtain fund for the project.

He said department official at Centre willingly helped in providing the necessary fund allocations for the project after learning that it was meant for construction work at a village.

Sekhose said the playfield, though constructed in L.Khel land, was meant for the village as a whole and that it should be able to cater to the needs of sportspersons in the vicinity. He expressed gratitude to the land owners, Khelietsumia, for willingly giving their land for the construction.

He said the completed work was a testament to the commitment of the council executive in working for the welfare of the people and that it also brings contentment to the department as there were instances of unfinished works which causes loss to both the department and the people.

While hoping that the playfield would draw the youths to lead a positive and healthy lifestyle, Sekhose urged the village leaders to work collectively for the betterment of the upcoming generation.

He also called on the gathering to take criticisms in a constructive manner and let it mould the people into better human beings.

Earlier the inaugural programme was chaired by L Khel council chairman, Ayie Yhome while invocation was pronounced by Khedi Baptist Church, deacon, Neisakuozo Khruomo. It may be mentioned here that the playfield is constructed adjacent to gravesite of eight young boys in the age group of 8 to 14 who were killed in an explosion on February 18, 1976.

The explosion was caused by a live World War II bomb which was left undiscovered only to be found by the young boys who were unwary of the danger it possess.

The young boys belonged to families residing in that area and they reportedly used the site of the incident as their playfield.

24 players to represent Nagaland at SNBC

Nagaland team with other officials. (NP)

KOHIMA, SEP 9 (NPN):

Twenty-four players have been selected to represent Nagaland at the upcoming 72nd Senior National Basketball Championship (SNBC), first phase-NE zonal to be held at Aizawl, Mizoram from September 13 to 16, 2022. The players were selected from the recently concluded Nagaland Olympics and Paralympic Games 2022 held at IG Stadium from August 22-27. The players will be leaving for Aizawl on September 10 with their coaches and physiotherapist. 12 men and 12 women players were selected from the recently held Nagaland Olympic at IG stadium.

Following are the selected women players:

Rüütuonuo Janice, Belekhonuo Kuotsu, Reena Rai, Ruokuosanuo Sachi, Kunulu Hesuh, Lanunechetla, Imtila Aochenlar, Sungtiyala C Imchen, MyingthunglaTsopoe, Merila Tsopoe, Ravolü Nyekha and Kenyuni Keppen

Players for the men team included: Keneitsizo Belho, Seyievizo Kire, Kevipfhelie Kevin Rutsa, Chumbemo Kikon, Keneizelhou Kevin Tale, Kelhoukhrielie Dzüvichü, Chumbenthung Humstoe, Keneingutuo Kevin, Ruopfühetuo Solo, Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü, Imchanungba Walling and Relise K Thonger.