The Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) tournament has long been the heart of the district’s sporting calendar. Its history mirrors the evolution of Mokokchung’s sports culture, shaping generations of footballers and inspiring fans who proudly pay to cheer for their teams. However, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of participating teams. With only 11 teams competing this year, one fewer than last year, the issue can no longer be overlooked.
The MDFA is not unaware of this decline, but the reasons behind it are complex and deeply rooted. In the 1990s, over 20 teams used to participate in the MDFA tournaments, and some clubs even fielded two squads. Today, the drop in participation raises pressing questions about the health of sports at the grassroots. Similar patterns are evident beyond football. The recent Mokokchung Inter Ward Volleyball Tournament saw participation from only five of the town’s eighteen wards, despite volleyball being a crowd-puller second only to football.
Cricket presents an even bleaker picture. Once overflowing with teams, the Mokokchung District Cricket Association tournaments now attract only a few clubs. This comes at a time when the BCCI has expanded opportunities for players at the grassroots, and our local cricketers have gone on to feature in premier national-level competitions like the Ranji Trophy. Ironically, the game seems to have lost its local fervor even as national avenues have widened.
Interestingly, the skill level of today’s players has improved significantly across disciplines. But the pool of players has thinned, and that imbalance threatens long-term growth. The need of the hour is not merely to celebrate talent but to revive participation. Administrators and community leaders must find ways to reactivate dormant clubs, nurture school-level competition, and incentivize local sports organizations.
It is encouraging to see basketball reemerging, and disciplines such as table tennis, badminton, and combat sports maintaining steady progress. Athletics, too, is gaining traction, offering immense potential for individual excellence. However, sustainable development requires more than enthusiasm. The district needs a systematic study, perhaps through a fact-finding commission, to analyze the state of every sport, identify barriers, and recommend practical solutions.
Infrastructure, funding, and management are vital, but so are community engagement and grassroots motivation. Mokokchung has the talent and the legacy. What it needs now is a renewed collective will to rebuild its sporting foundation.
