The 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2023-24 kicked off in style as host Assam exhibited its football prowess with a resounding 5-0 victory over Bihar at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar.
Assam's Dipu Mirda emerged as the hero of the day, scoring a remarkable hat-trick, while Okhrang Narzary netted two goals, sealing Assam's commanding 5-0 win in their opening match of the tournament.
The championship received an illustrious inauguration from Bodo Territorial Region (BTR) Chief Executive Member, Pramod Boro, at the SAI Stadium.
The morning's inaugural match witnessed Railways securing a solid 2-0 victory over Chandigarh at the SAI Stadium, showcasing their determination to vie for the coveted Santosh Trophy.
Over at the Kokrajhar District Sports Association (KDSA) field, Rajasthan demonstrated their prowess by defeating Himachal Pradesh with a convincing 3-0 scoreline in the second match of the day.
Group D of the championship features a total of six teams, including Assam, Chandigarh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Railways, and Himachal Pradesh. These teams will compete fiercely over the coming days, aiming to secure a coveted spot in the tournament's later stages.