Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has said the State Government will make efforts to install artificial turf football grounds in all districts to channel the energy of young people productively, while describing the Renpo Lu Sports Complex at Ungma as an asset belonging to all Nagas.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Silver Jubilee edition of the 25th Dr T Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship 2026 on Wednesday, Rio said grassroots sports remained essential for discovering talent, building confidence and nurturing interest in sports.
“The State Government will try its best to install astro turfs in all the districts so that the energy of the youth may be channelised productively and positively,” he said.
Rio also stressed that Renpo Lu Sports Complex was not only for the Ao community but belonged to all Nagas, recalling that Ungma had donated three parcels of ancestral land to the Tenyimi Union Nagaland, Central Nagaland Tribes Council and Eastern Nagaland People Organisation to promote Naga brotherhood.
Silver Jubilee and Dr T Ao’s legacy
Congratulating the organisers on completing 25 editions of the championship, Rio said the participation of all 17 districts reflected the tournament’s reach and the collective efforts of the State’s football fraternity to preserve the legacy of Dr T Ao.
Born in Changki village in 1918, Dr T Ao excelled in football, academics and athletics. During his student days at Cotton College, he was a three-time athletics champion and later captained Mohun Bagan Athletic Club.
In 1948, he became the first Naga Olympian, captaining the Indian football team at the London Olympic Games and carrying the national flag during the opening ceremony. He became the first Naga physician in 1950.
Rio said Dr T Ao’s achievements demonstrated that academic excellence and sporting success could go hand in hand.
He acknowledged the Ungma Village Council and landowners for providing land for the sports complex, and expressed appreciation to the village elders and successive council chairmen Alemtoshi Imsong Tatar, Nungshi Lepden Jamir Tatar and Sutsungkaba Longkumer Tatar for their contributions.
The Chief Minister also thanked Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer for taking a personal interest in the project and helping turn the vision into reality. He recalled that the Speaker’s late father, I Nungshi Longkumer, had played football for the PWD department in his younger days.
Nagaland football gains new platforms
Rio highlighted the introduction of the Nagaland Super League in 2024 as an important step in providing a competitive platform for footballers, while the Dr T Ao Trophy continued to strengthen the game at the district level.
He also cited the entry of Nagaland United Sports ClubAMP into the Indian Football League for the 2026-27 season, following its acquisition of Aizawl FC’s league sporting rights, as a milestone for the State.
Rio appreciated the All India Football Federation for supporting football development in Nagaland, bringing the Indian Football League Trophy Tour to the State and introducing the Dr Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls.
He further noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recognised Nagaland’s efforts to promote football through the Grassroots Football Festival Baby League and Nagaland Women’s Futsal League during his Mann Ki Baat address in June 2026.
Rio also congratulated the Department of Youth Resources and Sports for receiving the SKOCH Silver Award 2026 for its Grassroots Football Festival Baby League, acknowledging its contribution to grassroots sports development. He said the increasing commitment of State sporting associations to organising regular competitions was creating more opportunities for young athletes.
State Games and National Games preparations
Rio said the Nagaland State and Para Games, organised by the Nagaland Olympic Association, would commence on November 2, 2026. He said the multi-sport event had helped grassroots talents aspire to national and international platforms, while the Para Games provided persons with disabilities opportunities to showcase their abilities.
He added that preparations were underway for the 39th National Games in 2027, with Nagaland set to host the wrestling discipline.
Calls for sportsmanship and collective effort
Congratulating finalists Mon and Tuensang, Rio wished both teams well and called for a competitive match played in the spirit of sportsmanship.
He said that although only one team could lift the trophy, every participant had contributed to the success of the championship. The lessons of teamwork and the ability to face both victory and defeat, he said, were equally valuable.
Rio also thanked the Nagaland Football Association, organising committee, district administration, Department of Youth Resources and Sports, referees, technical officials, volunteers, sponsors and the people of Mokokchung for their contributions and support.
“As we bring this historic Silver Jubilee edition to a close, let us honour Dr T Ao’s legacy not merely by remembering his achievements, but by creating opportunities for the next generation,” he said.
He expressed hope that the Silver Jubilee would mark the beginning of a new chapter for football in Nagaland, adding that a champion was defined not by the trophy alone, but by the courage to compete, discipline to persevere and humility to respect others.
The Chief Minister concluded by calling for the spirit of Dr T Ao to continue inspiring young people and for football to remain a unifying force among the Naga people.