Mokokchung, April 15 (MTNews): Commemorating 50 glorious years of Nagaland Football Association (1972-2022), Mokokchung will host the coveted Dr. T Ao Trophy (XXII Inter-district football championship) from 18 through 29 April at Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
Organized by the Nagaland Football Association and hosted by Mokokchung District Football Association, an inaugural program will be held on 18th of April 2022, 5:00 PM at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung with G. Kaito Aye, Nagaland Minister for Agriculture & Cooperation as chief guest and Er. Zale Neikha, MLA & Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports as special guest.
The program will also feature Nagaland Minister for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir and Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh (IAS) delivering salutations on behalf of the host district.
Flag hoisting, oath taking, and musical performances will be the main highlights of the inaugural event.
Six teams arriving today
Meanwhile, the MDFA has informed that 6 teams will be arriving Mokokchung on Saturday for the tournament. Dimapur, Kiphire, Mon, debutants Niuland and Shamator, and the defending champions Phek are the teams arriving on Saturday. It was also informed that the players from these teams will be attending MTBA Youth Service on Easter Sunday.
Defending champs Phek confident to defend title
Meanwhile, the defending champions of the Dr T. Ao Trophy Inter District Football Championship, Football Association Phek District (FAPD) team are upbeat and confident ahead of the tourney which is due to start from Tuesday, 19 April 2022.
The President of FAPD, Colo Mero, who is also the Vice President of Nagaland Football Association, told Mokokchung Times that his team is ready and confident and said that team Phek will try their best to defend the title.
On being asked about playing in the shabby condition of the playground at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mero said that it is difficult to get the best out of the players and expressed regret that the condition of the ground is quite similar all over the state, adding that there’s only one astro turf ground in Nagaland.
“I feel bad for the players, since it’s them and not the officials who would suffer playing in the clay pitch,” he said. “I hope the weather will be kind to us, since it will play a big role on the condition of pitch,” he added. He also conveyed appreciation to the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) for the efforts given to make it happen in Mokokchung.
Defending champions FAPD will be facing Dimapur on the inaugural match on April 19.