Tuensang gearing up to host Dr. T Ao Inter-District Tournament; fixture announced

KOHIMA — Tuensang is gearing up to host Nagaland’s mega football event – Dr. T Ao Inter-District Tournament — for the first time at Loyem Memorial Astro Turf Ground.

Scheduled to be held from September 17 to the 27th, the tournament is organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA).

This was announced by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and the hosting town Tuensang during a press conference at Nagaland Olympic Association complex, Kohima on Friday.

MLA Limaonen Chang, who is also the convenor of the organising committee, said that the district is making all necessary arrangements for the tournament, while expressing hope that all the districts will make use of the opportunity and showcase their talents.  Tuensang may be far away from the state capital but it has a playground with ‘the best astro turf’, he said, adding that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will grace the inaugural function of the tournament.

Benei Lamthiu, MLA and general secretary of NFA, said the tournament is an annual event held in memory of Nagaland’s first Olympian Dr. T Ao on a rotational basis, but it could not be organised last year, while urging the districts to make use of the opportunity.

Football is a sport that transcends boundaries and knows no caste, he said, adding that the NFA is committed to promoting clean, fair play in the state and the goal is to uplift football and provide the players with opportunities to compete at the highest levels.

He further encouraged the players to maintain discipline, sportsmanship, and have a genuine love for the game.

President of NFA, Neibou Sekhose, said that the matches will be on league basis with the districts to be divided into four groups namely, A, B, C and D.

He also informed that national level scouters will be brought in to scout players, urging the participants to give their best.

He went on to inform that INR 50000 each is given to each participating district for preparation.

As for the prize money, the champion will get INR 2 lakh, and two semi-finalists will get INR 50,000 each.

President of Tuensang District Football Association, Yangdipi Sangtam, said that the tournament is going to be a history in eastern Nagaland.

Giving update on the work on ground, he said the planning committee comprising about 60 members is implementing and supervising the works. He also expressed hope that the tournament would promote peace.

While maintaining that they are doing their best to provide necessary accommodation, he also requested the players not to expect accommodation like that of Kohima and Dimapur.

Kevingutuo Rio, Head of Referee Nagaland, was also present at the press conference.

Fixture of the tournament was also announced on Friday: Group A — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima and Phek; Group B — Peren, Kohima, Shamator and Zunheboto; Group C — Longleng,  Mokokchung, Kiphire and Tuensang; and Group D — Mon, Noklak, Tseminyu and Wokha.