Agartala, July 23, 2025: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha attended the final match and prize distribution ceremony of the Neeljyoti Rakhal Shield Knockout Football Tournament organized by the Tripura Football Association at Umakanta Mini Stadium yesterday.
Speaking to the media after the final, the Chief Minister emphasized that sports help in shaping individuals both physically and mentally. He remarked that sports can play a vital role in maintaining discipline in life and steering youth away from the influence of addiction.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “The youth are the future of the country, and without providing them opportunities, the nation cannot progress.” Dr. Saha stated that the state government is continuously working to improve various sectors, including sports, for the benefit of the younger generation.
He highlighted the construction of multiple synthetic turf football fields across the state and stressed that football not only enhances physical fitness but also instills a spirit of competition from an early age. The Chief Minister added that the government has also introduced the ‘Khelo Tripura’ initiative in line with the national ‘Khelo India’ program to boost the sports ecosystem in the state.
In today’s final match, Forward Club defeated Blood Mouth Club 2–0 to clinch the championship title. The Chief Minister congratulated both the champion and runner-up teams for their performances.
Also present on the occasion were Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Deepak Majumder, MLA Pramod Reang, former Justice Arindam Lodh, Tripura Football Association President Pranab Sarkar, Secretary Amit Chaudhuri, former Indian footballer Gautam Sarkar, and social worker Shyamal Deb, among others.
