Football has always been the most popular sport in Mokokchung district and the MDFA Trophy is undoubtedly the biggest sporting event in the district. The Mokokchung District Football Association has over the years been promoting the beautiful game in Mokokchung ever since its inception in the year 1992.
Since 2017, the year of its silver jubilee, MDFA has made some moves to promote local talents, most notably the new rule restricting the number of ‘non-indigenous’ players in the playing eleven. As per the 2017 rule, only four such players were allowed which has been further reduced to two this year. A new trophy was also unveiled in 2017 and total prize money enhanced to Rs.3.8 lakhs.
The last MDFA Trophy was held in 2019. After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, MDFA 2022 is scheduled to start from October 11. However, there are only eleven teams in the fray for the most coveted sporting trophy in Mokokchung this year. This is perhaps the least number of teams at any MDFA Trophy in recent years. Interestingly, five of them are new teams making their debut appearance.
According to an MDFA official, some teams backed out of the tournament at the last moment this year citing financial reasons. While there are a lot of interested players and teams, the financial burden of participating in a tournament for a team is huge. With no sponsors, it becomes very difficult for a club to manage a team to participate in a major tournament like the MDFA Trophy.
Notwithstanding the financial burden, the participation of five new entrants while the older clubs are withdrawing is a positive sign. Revenant FC, Legendary Yeomanly Misfits, Longpa Lomuden, Youngsters Team Mokokchung and Sparious FC are the five debutants. Former champions Moanungsang MSC is making a comeback while Marepkong YA, Mongsenbai FC, OCYU, and defending champions Telongjem FC have been consistently appearing at the tournament in recent times. Sports Society Suyim is reportedly the team with the most consistent appearance at the MDFA Trophy.
It may be recalled that most matches of the MDFA trophy has always been played in front of a jam packed gallery, especially from the knock-out stages. The rivalries between teams amidst a roaring, passionate and emotional crowd have always been a highlight of MDFA as youngsters enthusiastically looked upon the players wanting to follow their footstep.
However, the low turn up of the teams for the trophy this year is surely concerning. But it is only a matter of time when we will find out whether the economic downturn is the cause for the low team participation this year or whether the zeal towards football has significantly declined in the district among youngsters. Or whether it is the club management and not the economic situation that is the real concern.
