1st Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League begins in Kohima

Mez & Co secure opening win

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 12 

The 1st Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League 2026, organized by the Kohima District Football Association (KDFA), kicked off at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Wednesday. In the opening match of the district league, Mez & Co registered a comfortable 2-0 victory over Tsûtuonuomia Youth Organization, with Radovei Roshimai and Vinato scoring a goal each to seal the win.

Gracing the opening ceremony as the chief guest, Director of Youth Resources & Sports Kethosituo Sekhose highlighted the critical role that competitive leagues play in developing athletes and providing them with regular exposure to high-level competition. He noted that under the Khelo India Mission 3.0, the central government has prioritized organizing regular leagues starting from the district level up to the national level through the Sports Authority of India.

Sekhose shared that the budget for Khelo India Mission 3.0 has been increased eightfold, expanding funding beyond sports infrastructure to cover coaching camps, capacity building, and competitive tournaments. Appreciating the sponsorship commitment, he expressed gratitude to the family of the late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose for signing a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the KDFA to support the super league, expressing hope that such sustained partnerships will inspire similar leagues across other contact and non-contact sports in Nagaland.

Utilize infrastructure to fullest potential
Looking ahead to major international sporting events, Sekhose noted that India will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and is bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games. With the average age of an Olympic athlete being around 21 years, he stressed that the state must utilize the next decade to build a robust sports ecosystem and maximize the use of existing infrastructure. He recalled that Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio announced a ₹3-crore corpus fund under the Chief Minister's Sports Advancement Initiative in the 2026-27 state budget, which currently targets five priority sports disciplines by offering selected athletes free training, boarding, insurance, and administrative support.

“If we can make use of this properly, it will go a long way in promoting the sports ecosystem in our state,” he said while maintaining that a lot of development had already taken place as far as infrastructure was concerned.

Work hard with commitment to achieve goal
Unveiling the official league trophy, Nagaland Football Association (NFA) President K Neibou Sekhose paid tribute to the late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose, recalling his extensive service to football as a former Joint Secretary, two-term General Secretary, and three-term President of the NFA, as well as an Executive Member and Vice President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He extended sincere thanks to Atuo’s wife, Thungdeno, and the entire family for facilitating the district league, urging all participating teams to play with discipline, courage, and commitment.

KDFA President M Mathew Yhome expressed hope that the inaugural edition would establish a lasting tradition that strengthens the local community and fulfills the dreams of young athletes aiming to play in district-level competitions. He listed the five clubs competing in the league: Mez & Co, Sechü Zubza FC, Tsûtuonuomia Youth Organization, Nurturing Youngsters FC, and Vanguard Academy.

Organized by the KDFA under the aegis of the NFA and in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, the tournament aims to honor late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose’s legacy while promoting grassroots football. 

The opening ceremony was chaired by KDFA General Secretary Viliebeizo Liezietsu, with an invocation offered by Rev. Fr. Innocent Panmei, SDB, Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima, and a musical performance by Ruokuoseü Sanchu. The league runs through August 29.

August 13 Match: 
Vanguard Academy vs Nurturing Youngsters FC 

Time: 3 PM