Mokokchung gears up to host Dr. T Ao Trophy 2022

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Sep. 30 (EMN): A twenty-three member planning committee as Mokokchung gears up to host the upcoming 22nd Inter-District Football Championship (Dr. T Ao Trophy) next year.

The championship will be hosted by Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) under the aegis of Nagaland Football Association (NFA).

In a press conference on Thursday, the convener of the Planning Committee Merentoshi R Jamir (NDPP Spokesperson) informed that a preliminary blueprint discussion was held for the successfully hosting of the prestigious state-level tournament.

Acknowledging the NFA for giving MDFA the opportunity for hosting the upcoming tourney, Jamir opined that hosting a major state-event tournament is not only the responsibility of the committee but should involve the district as a whole.

He also lamented that the sports infrastructure in the district was very limited plus financial position of the State Government cannot provide state-of-the-art facilities (astro turf) at this junction.

However, the committee assured to face-lift the sports facility .i.e. Imkongmeren Sports Complex where the tournament is expected to be held.

Tentatively, the 22nd Inter-District Football Championship (Dr. T Ao Trophy) 2022 is expected to be held in March or April 2022 but would be finalised after thorough discussion with the NFA, said the Planning Committee.

In this connection, the Convener also called upon the people of Mokokchung to support the committee with constructive suggestions and ideas in every way possible.

MDFA President Meyisanger Lemtur also informed that the District Planning Development Board (DPDB) Mokokchung has given go-ahead signal to host the state-level tourney and appealed to the people that hosting a major tournament should be a collective effort.

The co-convener Imlikuzuk also disclosed that Committee is also formulating a crowd funding initiative that is not limited to the district but is extended without boundaries.  He also asserted that pulling in resources from the people is important but collective contribution is more important.

Meanwhile, MDFA has also congratulated Telongjem FC for lifting the first Inter-District Futsal Tournament and brining laurels to the district, which was organised by NFA and hosted by Dimapur District Football Association recently.