Motorsports in Mokokchung through the years with AMAM

Mokokchung Times Feature | November 6

Motorsports is rapidly gaining popularity and fan following in Nagaland today. And it is interesting to note that motorsports in the state finds its origin in Mokokchung. The first ever motor rally in Nagaland took place here in Mokokchung way back in 1991 which was held to commemorate the centenary celebration of Mokokchung district. The event was organized by Mokokchung District Sports Council (MDSC).

The second motor rally in the state was also held here in Mokokchung in 1999 to mark Nagaland’s 35 years of statehood which was organized by the Mokokchung District Administration and the MDSC.

The third motor rally, “Moatsü Festive Motor Rally” was held in 2001 which was organized by the Dibuia Tourism Committee in collaboration with the Mokokchung District Administration and MDSC.

The fourth and fifth motorsport event in Mokokchung was held in the years 2005 and 2006 respectively under the banner “Tour de Hills 1” and “Tour de Hills 2”. These motorsport events were organized by the MDSC in collaboration with the Mokokchung District Administration.

As motorsports activities in the state and Mokokchung town in particular gained widespread acceptance and popularity amongst participants and the people in general, it was felt necessary that a proper Motorsports body needed to be set up in the district under the umbrella of the Mokokchung District Sports Council. With the experiences from the past successful events, a new motorsports body was set up in 2012 with affiliation to the MDSC as the Adventure and Motorsports Association Mokokchung (AMAM).

AMAM’s first event was in 15th December 2012 at the ‘M-Fest’ which was organized by the Mokokchung District Art and Culture Council (MDACC) wherein, a Two Wheeler TSD Rally within Mokokchung town was organized by AMAM. The rally had 24 participants.

The 1st Mokokchung AutoX was held on the 24th Aug 2013 at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex. The event proved to be great success with the participation of 58 motorsports enthusiasts from the state. The event was aimed to encourage the local motorsports enthusiast and to give them a platform.

The 2nd Mokokchung AutoX & MotoX was held on the 22nd – 23rd August 2014 at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex (ISC), Mokokchung. The event had 107 registered competitors from within the state as well as from the North Easteastern states of Assam and Meghalaya, who performed and competed in front of a record 5000-plus spectators on the 2-day event.

2015 marked the 125th Year Celebration of Mokokchung District Administration. AMAM assisted in the Quasquicentennial Celebration by organizing a Jubilee Adventure Trail, a non competitive section for motorsports enthusiasts as well as the 3rd Tour de Hills, a three-stage, two-day competitive TSD rally for four wheelers. Both the Adventure Trail and TSD rally covered a distance of 112 kms.

The 3rd Mokokchung AutoX and MotoX was held on November 5, 2015 at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung. The event attracted 74 registered participants, both from the national and state level motorsport arena.

AMAM has so far successfully organized and managed a number of events over the years and is also actively participating at different national and state level motorsport competitions.

The 4th and 5th Mokokchung AutoX & Moatsü Sprint was held at Yimchalu Farm Village coinciding with the premier Ao Naga festival, Moatsü in 2018 and 2019. The events were well participated by motorsports enthusiasts from Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and Delhi on both occasions.

Over the years, AMAM has successfully organized the events and they have now evolved into major motorsport events in the state, with the 6th Mokokchung AutoX 2022 held at Rempukong, Ungma being the most recent one. The 2022 Indian National Autocross Championship East Zone organized by AMAM on November 4 was perhaps the biggest motorsport event in Mokokchung.

In Conversation with AMAM President

In an interaction with Mokokchung Times, the president of AMAM, Moasashi Jamir, said that there are huge prospects and opportunities in motorsports “if only we can channelize.” However, he admitted that Nagaland is yet to see corporate houses and MNCs making inroads, both in terms of investment and sponsorship, on which motorsports teams, clubs and drivers depend. He said that the “happening places of motorsports” in India is down south where children as young as eight years old are being introduced to motorsports. “It is the parents who actively help their children in getting trained because they know there is big money in motorsports,” he added.

On the future plans of AMAM, he said, “For AMAM, I think we should not be just contented with an annual event. We should broaden our horizons and try to look beyond.” Referring to the 2022 Indian National Autocross Championship East Zone, he said, “This recent national event was an eye opener for us and subsequently we have realized which direction we will go.”

Apart from organizing motorsports events, AMAM also helps its members to participate in various local events as well as in the national circuit. Besides, AMAM also undertakes social services – like organizing Mokokchung’s ‘traditional’ events like Christmas Cake Race, Midnight Service, Night Carnival, etc. AMAM has also extended help during the pandemic to the Frontline workers.