In an effort to create harmony at the Assam-Nagaland border, a soccer tournament was recently organised by the Jorhat District Sports Association (JDSA).
The 52nd Assam Tea Planters Association (ATPA) Shield tournament was organized by the JDSA to bring the people of two states together. The villages at this border have long been affected by boundary disputes between Assam and Nagaland.
The friendship football match was held between the Assam Police Blues and Nagaland Police at the border town of Mariani. Thousands of villagers gathered to watch the thrilling game.
Politicians, including Nagaland MP Neiphiu Rio and Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi, were among those who were present on the occasion.
"There is border dispute and always some tension is coming up and the case is in Supreme Court. However in the ground reality people they are contacting, people to people contact, having cultural exchanges and at the public leader's level they are having interaction and this kind of game will definitely promote the relationship," said Rio.
"I think, through such initiative when we all come together at the same place, at the same time and we are enjoying a good game football this allows face to face, people to people interaction and Sports are a very unique medium. It can overcome a lot of challenges that we face normally. So this is a very important initiative and there should be more such initiatives," added Gogoi.
Assam Police Blues won the match by defeating Nagaland Police convincingly with five goals while Nagaland team scored three goals in penalty shootout.
Such initiatives will not only foster peace but also build a healthy relationship between the people and security forces of the two states.
"It is a good initiative and such tournament will build a better relationship between Nagaland and Assam. Such sport is always good and we get a good response from across the country so, we hope that someday India will also play in the world cup," said Albert Saikia, a spectator.
Assam and Nagaland share over a 400-km-long boundary, efforts are on to hold more interactions through sports and culture to maintain peace.
Recently, civil society members from Assam and Nagaland held talks in Guwahati to bring an end to prevailing atmosphere of distrust and suspicion.
