51st Mongsen Ait Marok Football Trophy kicks odd December 16
For over 50 years, a village football club in Longjang has sustained the Mongsen Ait Trophy through community effort, voluntary labour, and an enduring Christmas football tradition making it one of the oldest grassroots football tournaments in Nagaland.
The origins of the tournament date back to 1961, when a group of young Mongsen boys from Mongsen colony, Longjang village formed the Mongsen Youth Club and played football within the colony during Christmas. What began as informal festive matches gradually evolved into the Mongsen Ait Marok Football Trophy, which was organised annually as a community get-together centred around football. In 1998, the club was renamed the Mongsen Ait Club, giving the tournament a more formal structure.
The Mongsen Ait Trophy completed 50 years in 2023 and will kick off its 51st edition from December 16 to 18 at Longjang Playground, underlining its continuity and longevity. The tournament is considered one of the oldest football trophies in Mokokchung district and possibly in Nagaland.
Longjang village, once known for its strong football culture, has produced several state-level players over the years. Current players from the village include Tarepnungsang, Nungshichuchang, Imlitoshi, Aotoshi, and Molusupong. Beyond the village, the Mongsen Ait Trophy itself has served as a platform for many players to display their talent, including Ayenmongba, Temjenmeren, among others.
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In an exclusive interview with MT, the trophy committee including Imyujungba Aier, Convenor; and members Takosunep, Benjongningsang, Imrongtuden, and Pangjungtemsu said that while the Mongsen Ait Marok Football Trophy is open to all teams, its primary objective is to inspire young local players, encourage competition, and promote grassroots football.
“Our main focus is to help young players get inspired while they are playing with the players from outside,” the committee said.
However, the committee acknowledged that resource constraints remain a major challenge. The Mongsen Ait Marok Football Trophy has no sponsors and is run entirely through donations and voluntary labour, including field work and fund-raising activities carried out by Mongsen Ait Club members. While the club described itself as self-sustaining, it said the resources are not sufficient to start a year-round league, which remains one of its long-term aspirations.
The committee added that the club hopes to one day impart coaching or participate in tournaments under its own name, but financial limitations have prevented these plans from materialising so far.
They also pointed out the lack of proper ground and infrastructure in the village, stating that players often find it difficult to adjust when playing on turfed grounds elsewhere. The committee said it would be encouraging if the government or any willing individuals or organisations could extend support to a tournament that has sustained itself for over five decades.
A total of 10 teams will participate in the 51st edition of the tournament, with teams from Mokokchung, Chuchuyimlang, Süngratsü, Longpa, and four teams from Longjang. The Mongsen Ait Club will also field its own team, the youngest side in the tournament, comprising local youths aged 13 to 19.
The chief guest for the tournament will be Dr Kahuka Sema, Primary Care Physician and Director of Family Health Clinic and Hospital, Dimapur.
