Goa emerged champion of the fifth Agape Cup 2019, a national Christian football tournament held in Sikkim.
The final was played on Sunday afternoon at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.
In a keenly contested final Goa has outplayed Nagaland 2-0.
Thirteen states had participated in this three-day long championship.
It was organized by Sikkim Christian Sports Coalition in collaboration with Sports Coalition of India.
The tournament was held on the theme ‘Growing Together in Harmony’.
The final day of the tournament has also witnessed the felicitation of former Indian football team skipper, Padma Shree Bhaichung Bhutia by the organizing committee.
The final match had state sports and youth affairs minister Kunga Nima Lepcha as the chief guest.
He was accompanied by forest minister, Karma Loday Bhutia, agriculture and horticulture minister, Lok Nath Sharma and political secretary to the chief minister, Jacob Khaling as guests of honour among other dignitaries.
The chief guest and guests of honour gave away trophies to winning and runners-up teams.
West Bengal team was adjudged as the Best Disciplined Team, while Man of the Final Match trophy was awarded to Xavier Pius of Goa.
The final day has also witnessed the performances by Sikkim Choir and Paljor Namgyal Girls School choir.
Taekwondo demonstration and traditional medley dance by PNG School students were also presented at the closing function.
The closing ceremony also witnessed Singhey Dance and Yak Dance by artistes of the Culture Department.
Earlier, the final day of the tournament started with the opening prayer by Fr Rev Robin Kalikotey and concluded with vote of thanks by the organizing committee treasurer, Arthur Targain and closing prayer by Rev J Lepcha.
The final day was also attended by Education Department secretary, M T Sherpa, Sports & Youth Affairs Department secretary, Kuber Bhandari, pastors, leaders and members of different churches of in and around Gangtok.
The tournament was kicked-off on September 27 last and teams from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim had participated.
It is informed that the shortlisted players from the tournament will represent the country in the upcoming United World Cup to be held in Japan in 2020.
