Members of the Mokokchung District Football Association during the press conference announcing the 25th Dr T Ao Football Tournament 2026 at Koridang Futsal Ground, Aolijen, Ungma, on August 15. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | August 16
The Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) has announced that the 25th edition of the Dr T Ao Football Tournament will be held from October 12 to 31 at the Renpao Lu Astro Turf Ground, Ungma.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Koridang Futsal Ground, Aolijen, Ungma, on Saturday. MDFA president N Akok Longkumer was accompanied by vice-president Bendangnukshi and executive member Yimya Jamir.
Describing the tournament as the silver jubilee edition of the prestigious event, Longkumer invited all 17 districts of Nagaland to participate. He expressed hope that the tournament would be a grand celebration of football and a fitting tribute to Dr T Ao, the legendary footballer and son of the soil.
MDFA vice-president Bendangnukshi said the association had taken up the responsibility of hosting the tournament in Mokokchung in view of the significance of its 25th edition. He appealed to all sections of society across Nagaland to extend their support and assistance for the successful conduct of the event.
The organising committee was constituted on October 1, 2025, under the leadership of Advisor for Transport and Technical Education Temjenmenba, with Imsongmeren, NCS, Director of Nagaland State Lotteries, serving as organising secretary. Various sub-committees have also been formed and are working on different aspects of the tournament.
Before beginning preparations, the MDFA and Nagaland Football Association (NFA) visited Changki Village, the native village of Dr T Ao, and sought the blessings of the village council and its people.
The NFA and MDFA also visited the Impur ABAM Mission Centre in February this year, where the local ground was named Dr T Ao Ground in recognition of his association with the institution.
The tournament mascot will be the “Orija”, a bird associated with Changki Village.
Responding to queries, the organisers said preparation of the Renpao Lu Astro Turf Ground was around 80 per cent complete. The gallery is expected to accommodate around 4,000 spectators, while additional temporary seating arrangements will be made to accommodate more people.
The organising committee also plans to arrange transportation for spectators and provide live streaming of the matches.
The organisers said there had so far been no official communication regarding any revision in the prize money. As of now, the champion is expected to receive Rs 3 lakh and the runners-up Rs 2 lakh.
The MDFA also informed that the Mokokchung District Football Tournament would not be held this year due to the hosting of the Dr T Ao Football Tournament. The association, however, assured that the district tournament would be organised next year.
