SE (Retd), Department of Agriculture, Achakbo Newmai along with Chairman, Mhainamtsi Village Council, Ziudi Thou and PDFA Officials during the inaugural ceremony of PDFL 3.0 at the Turf Ground, Jalukie Town on March 7. (DIPR Photo)
Jalukie, March 7 (MExN): The third edition of the Peren District Football League (PDFL 3.0) officially got underway at the Turf Ground, Jalukie Town on March 7.
Organised by Peren District Football Association (PDFA), the tournament, will conclude on March 23, 2026, and is being participated by seven teams: Lekie Mtei FC, Friends of Society, Nchangram Lun FC, Kingdom Stewards, Mbaupungwa FC, Poilwa FC and Football Plus Academy.
As per the DIPR report, the inaugural programme was graced by Achakbo Newmai, Superintending Engineer (Retd), Department of Agriculture as the special guest. Chairman of Mhainamtsi Village Council, Ziudi Thou, attended as the special invitee.
Addressing the gathering, Achakbo Newmai commended the PDFA for conducting the league, noting that Peren currently boasts one of the most active football leagues in Nagaland.
He highlighted the strategic advantage of Peren District, given its proximity to Kohima and Dimapur, and pointed to the presence of several good football grounds as key assets. Reflecting on the recently concluded Liangmai Sports Association tournament, he expressed optimism that with the right platform, talented players from the Zeliangrong community could excel professionally. He urged players to view the league as a stepping stone to secure employment through sports.
Ziudi Thou, in his address, described the launch of the third edition as a significant moment for football enthusiasts in the district. He suggested that the two constituencies in the district explore allocating a percentage of Local Area Development Programme (LADP) funds annually through a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the tournament’s longevity.
Encouraging the players, Thou urged them to treat football as a serious pursuit rather than a mere pastime.
The programme was chaired by PDFA Joint Secretary Ngautube Chamlak with invocation by Benthuile, Youth Director of Jalukie B Baptist Church. PDFA President Raithu Newmai welcomed the gathering. A musical interlude was presented by Karchile Pame, winner of Peren Voice Impact 2025. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by PDFA Media Team member Dibam Domta.
Following the formal programme, the opening match saw Friends of Society dominate Lekie Mtei Football Club with a resounding 4-1 victory.
