Kohima: The 25th edition of the NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy is set to begin on September 13 and will run till October 18 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima and the Chümoukedima Football Stadium.
The tournament is being jointly organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Angami Students’ Union (ASU).
At a press briefing held at the ASU office on Tuesday, organisers announced that 45 teams will participate, including Delhi Police, a team from Sikkim, seven from Manipur, and local squads from Nagaland. The tournament will host around 900 players and 180 officials, featuring 44 matches, 36 in Kohima and eight in Chümoukedima.
The opening ceremony on September 13 at IG Stadium, Kohima, will be graced by Rural Development and SIRD Minister Metsubo Jamir as special guest. Organisers expect strong public participation to mark the milestone edition.
ASU president Diezevisie Nakhro said survivors of the 1986 incident have been invited, and special arrangements will be made to honour their memories. Steering committee convenor Medo Yhokha emphasised that the tournament is more than a football event, describing it as a platform to build peace and unity. He also acknowledged the support of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and Kohima District Football Association (KDFA).
Addressing questions on eight teams being seeded directly into the pre-quarterfinals, Yhokha explained that this was a special arrangement for the 25th edition to raise the competition’s quality. He explained that, given the tournament’s emotional and historical significance, the arrangement was made with the hope that all teams would uphold fair play.
The organisers informed that the technical committee has also confirmed that such procedures were not unusual when invitations were extended to professional and former champion teams.
Yhokha also assured their commitment to maintain the enhanced prize money, adding that they were actively reaching out to corporate houses through CSR initiatives. He informed that memorandums of understanding (MoUs) had already been signed with some companies, with encouraging responses so far. Efforts are also underway to work out modalities that would make the tournament financially sustainable in collaboration with corporate partners.
Technical committee convenor Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome clarified that only former champions and professional teams were invited, of which eight accepted the offer.
The organisers have also announced an enhanced prize purse, with the champions to receive Rs 5 lakh, runners-up Rs 3 lakh, and losing semi-finalists Rs 1 lakh each, along with individual awards. Entry fees have been fixed at Rs 50 for preliminary matches and Rs 100 from the quarterfinals.
Treasurer Kezhazer Angami informed that there are plans in the pipeline to introduce qualifying rounds for village teams in future editions, noting that many grassroots sides often lose confidence after suffering heavy defeats in the early stages. He clarified that the move to introduce the team seeding was not out of bias but aimed at encouraging wider participation and boosting the morale of local teams.
Further, he said surplus funds from the upcoming edition will be invested to ensure the tournament’s sustainability, with future editions funded from the returns.
Matches will be telecasted by Bingebox firm engaged by the organisers, who also appealed to fans to avoid unauthorised streaming.
While women’s football has not been included, the organisers expressed openness to mull such initiatives despite the challenges in organising a mega event.
The press conference was attended by steering committee convenor Medo Yhokha, co-convenor Khrielievi Chüsi, ASU president Diezevisie Nakhro, technical convenor Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome, treasurer Kezhazer Angami, and publicity convenor Sedeneikho Shosahie.
The tournament was instituted in memory of Kekuojalie Sachü (19) of Baptist English School, Kohima Village, and Vikhozo Yhoshü (14) of Kohima English School, who were killed on March 20, 1986, when police opened fire on students protesting against the introduction of IPS cadres in Nagaland and the extension of the Disturbed Area Belt along the Indo–Myanmar border. Around 50 others were injured.
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