The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) has announced its tentative tour program to Mokokchung from February 20 to 21, organized in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports.
In a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), NFA President K Neibou Sekhose expressed gratitude to ABAM for initiating the renaming of their playground in honour of the legendary Dr Talimeren Ao, the first captain of the Indian Olympic football team and flag bearer at the London Olympics. “We would like to have a meeting with you regarding renaming of ABAM playground, Impur, and officially declare the playground as Dr T Ao Playground, followed by an exhibition match between ABAM XI and NFA XI,” the letter stated.
The two-day tour begins with the NFA delegation departing Kohima at 6:00 am on February 20, arriving in Mokokchung at 10:00 am. The program includes a meeting with the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) and the Organizing Committee of the 25th Dr T Ao Trophy, a visit to Changki Village to meet council members about the Dr T Ao legacy, and a dinner hosted by MDFA in honour of the visiting team.
On February 21, the delegation will travel to Impur Mission Center for the formal declaration of the Impur playground as Dr T Ao Playground at 11:00 am, followed by the exhibition match between ABAM XI and NFA XI. The team will return to Kohima the same day.