2015 Asian Youth Football Festa Held in Anseong South Korea - Episode 1

Piece -to- Camera : Dr Ajay Kumar

Producer                : Dr Ajay Kumar, Sanjeev Soni

Script & Voice       : Dr Ajay Kumar

Greenwood School of Dimapur Nagaland  representing India in 2015 Asian Youth Football Festa  from 7th to 9th August held in Anseong City Republic of Korea  finished a glorious second position  in U-12 football tournament  in their group.

A total of 47 teams from around  15 countries from Asia participated in this grand Festa which has a motto "Play Together, Dream Forever"  harmonizing football & culture. The unique football festa has unique objective- Football+Camping+Culture Experience.

India participated for the first time in this Festa which started in 2013. Greenwood School of Dimapur Nagaland got this opportunity for the first time to go out of the state and represent India in an international event. They got the opportunity for the first time to play on Astroturf. They got the opportunity for the first time to play soccer with different countries of Asia. They got the opportunity for the first time to travel by air that too in  international flights also. So this was a great opportunity for those young budding players to get them exposed to so much of different & surprising & exciting experiences. 

On the 8th of August Indian team played with two teams of Korea namely Seoul Gwangjin U-12 & A.DFC U-13. They defeated both the teams convincingly, in the first match by 4-0 and in the second match 2-0 respectively. Thulunso made a hat-trick in the match against Seoul Gwangjin.  On the following day they had to play first match  with Thailand. In this match Thailand defeated Indian Team 3-0. But this could not dampen the spirits of Indian Team in the second match that they played with  Xi'an AIZI Footbal Club China. Indian Team defeated China 7-1. Thus Indian team could win 3 out of 4 matches in their group and  finished with 2nd position.

Greenwood School has been selected to represent India in 2015 Asian Youth Football Festa  by virtue of winning the 2014 U-14 Subroto Cup.

Surprisingly for the boys of Indian Team, Second Secretary in the Embassy of India  in Korea Shri Mijito Vinito IFS (2010) who himself belongs to Nagaland, all the way drove down from Seoul to Anseong Sports Complex to cheer the Indian Team. 

Sh Vivek Narayan, Director in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports  was head of the delegation which included  12 players plus Mughato Sumi  (Coach) & Sedeleu Peseyie (Principal of Greenwood School ). Media team from Doordarshan  led by Dr Ajay Kumar included Sanjeev Soni & K.Magesh Rao (Cameraperson).

It will not be out of context to mention what  Swami Vivekanand has once said about the importance of playing football: 

"First of all, our young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you. I know where the shoe pinches. I have gained a little experience. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and the mighty strength of Krishna better with a little of strong blood in you. You will understand the Upanishads better and the glory of the Atman when your body stands firm upon your feet, and you feel yourselves as men. Thus we have to apply these to our needs."