Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 8
The 11th edition of Morning Premier League (MPL) 2026 under the aegis of Morning Football Association (MFA) will commence on February 9 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. Kethosituo Sekhose, Director, Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland will grace the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest on February 9 at 7:00 AM.
Col. Krishna Mishra, Commandant, 45th Assam Rifles will be the special guest.
The inaugural programme will be led by MFA assistant general secretary Thanpenlo while Lipoknungsang, Associate Pastor, KABA will pronounce invocation prayer.
Welcome address will be delivered by MFA president Burakum Ao.
Azi Rudy will present a special song while vote of thanks will be proposed by MFA general secretary Moamar.
Vanguard FC (Old Boys) will face Gethemgo FC in the inaugural march.
The 11 edition will witnesses 10 teams- Morung United, Morning Football Club, Merhulietsa FC, Eagle FC, Gethemgo FC, Unity FC, Mustang FC, Vanguard FC (Old Boys), All Blacks and Classic Kickers.
A non-profitable and charitable football league, the Morning Premier League (MPL) was officially founded in 2015 by like-minded and part time footballers to create health consciousness, camaraderie and competitive mentality and to promote sportsmanship among Naga people-both young and old. In this one-of-a-kind football League, all matches are played early in the morning as suggested from its nomenclature ‘Morning Premier League’.
This is done so as to create awareness and a habit to get up early in the morning which today’s generation seldom do.
The Morning Premier League managed by MFA is a yearly league which consists of 10 teams and since its inception, the Association has been struggling financially and has managed solely on the contributions from the players and well-wishers.
It is a unique league wherein the participating players are above 35 years of age, comprising of mostly non-professionals and football lovers.
The event will continue till May.
