I-Day Football Tournament Kicks Off in Tawang

TAWANG, July 20: The 2024 Independence Day Football Tournament kicked off on Saturday at the newly opened FIFA-standard artificial turf pitch at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium in Tawang.

The tournament was opened by Abbot Shelding Tulku Thupten Tender of Tawang Monastery, who led prayers for universal peace and welfare of all living beings.

The opening ceremony was attended by, among others, Jambey Wangdi, Chairman of Chosrig Affairs, Tawang Brigade Commander, Brigadier General VS Rajput, Tawang ADC Sang Khandu and MMT Secretary General Rinchin Norbu.

This year’s tournament will feature 46 teams from across Tawang district. The tournament is jointly organised by the Tawang District Sports Association (TDSA), Arunachal Pradesh Football Association, All Tawang District Students’ Union, Tawang District Football Association and the Tawang Brigade of the Indian Army under the supervision of the District Sports Authority and the district administration.

A total of 140 matches will be played, of which 104 matches will be played with men’s teams and 36 matches with women’s teams. The tournament will run until Independence Day.

During the opening ceremony, TDSA Secretary Urgen Dorjee stressed the importance of sports in keeping youth away from drugs and maintaining their fitness and health.

Koncho Tashi received a ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for representing India at the Asian Football Championship in Tajikistan, getting India’s Futsal listed in the FIFA rankings for the first time and participating in the Indian national futsal team’s first-ever international futsal match in Bahrain.

The inaugural match saw D-Club Jang face Prime United Tawang. D-Club Jang secured a decisive victory with a score of 7-0. (DIPRO)