“Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2022 is an overall success. The efforts of the host Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) from the management team down to the last person, the tournament is well delegated and managed. The team work and co-operation is outstanding,” commented Colo Mero, Vice- President, Nagaland Football Association (NFA).
“It is a huge task to organize a state level tournament with extremely challenging logistics. It is inspiring to see so much love for football as a game in NFA’s 50-year celebration in Mokokchung,” he added.
“The Football crazy fans of Mokokchung will come and fill the ground as we witness a truly grand finale tomorrow.As a football facilitator and promoter, I would urge the Mokokchung fans to do away with internal fights and be positive and support the beautiful game of football,” Colo further added.
The Dr. T. Ao trophy is the biggest football championship played in the state. The trophy saw professional live-telecast of the event for the first time in collaboration with Sports Cast India. The channel had a whooping 22k live viewers of the semi-final match and about 1.3 million views in total.
Dimapur District Football Association, Team Manager Lanutoshi Yaden said that the participants who have come from outside are satisfied with the organization of the tournament despite the challenges. He also commented that the new districts have played really well which is a good eye opener and he hopes that slowly the government will allot new turfs in all the districts in the state.
Meyisanger Lemtur, President, MDFA, said that it was a herculean task to accommodate more than 300 players with all the logistical and accommodation problem. “With the help of the people of Mokokchung in particular and the Ao community in general, we have been able to pull through the tournament without any hitches,” he said. “MDFA is extremely thankful to everyone and it was indeed a heart-warming experience to see people coming from other districts solely to support their teams,” he further commented.
Colo Mero in his concluding remark stated three major takeaways from the twenty second edition of the Inter District Football Championship. First was the live telecast of the trophy in collaboration with SportsCast India.He said that it is something inspiring and this will be the beginning of football promotion in Nagaland. Secondly, the young and vibrant leadership of the Nagaland football associations. The younger generation are taking over the management of the teams which is very inspiring. Lastly, the hospitality of the people of Mokokchung. From MDFA to the volunteers to the people around, the hospitality received is heart-warming.
The final match of the 22nd Inter District Football Champion Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2022 will be played between Dimapur and Mon on 29 April at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung.