I may not be wrong to start when I say that football fever in Nagaland has reached a new high. The recently concluded Dr. T. Ao Trophy, the 24th Inter-District Football Championship, saw Mon district edge past Niuland district in a penalty thriller, lifting the trophy before a record-breaking crowd at Kohima’s Indira Gandhi Stadium on August 15, 2025.
With a seating capacity of 30,000, the state’s first astro-turf pitch was packed to the brim on all sides, even as Kohima rains lashed down during the first half of the match. Beyond the stadium, more than 1.5 lakh people tuned in at peak moments on YouTube via SportsCast India, making it one of Nagaland’s most-watched grassroots sporting spectacles.
For many, this was not just another tournament. It was a showcase of raw, unfiltered footballing passion and an urgent reminder that passion alone is not enough.
One of the brightest sparks of the tournament emerged right at the start: Tuensang’s Jersey No. 7 Ayenmongba Chang. His audacious bicycle-kick goal not only electrified the crowd but also caught national attention. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, also shared the clip on social media with the words, “The star is born.”
Ironically, Tuensang district, the defending champions, failed to progress beyond the league stage. Yet Ayenmongba’s individual brilliance shone through. With eight goals to his name, including a double hat-trick, he claimed the Golden Boot award, emerging as one of Nagaland’s most promising young footballers.
Representing all 17 districts of Nagaland, the state’s finest footballing talents came together, showcasing a compelling mix of raw skill and well-trained abilities of the players on the field.
What struck me most was learning that some of Mon district’s new champions come from villages without a proper football ground. Take Zangkham village, for example, where grassroots football is often played as 7-a-side matches simply because there is no full-sized pitch.
Yet, the passion is undeniable. A local told me that their love for football runs deep in their hearts and that in many households, football is a family affair. Some colonies (areas), with just 30–40 households, spend lakhs of rupees to conduct tournaments as players treat each match like final battles.
“Football is seen as a form of modern warfare here. On any given evening, you will not find an empty ground,” a local shared.
Many young players dream of professional football, and their raw, rugged, unpolished style was on display during the Dr. T. Ao Trophy.
Football in Nagaland may begin with competition within khels (clans), villages, and ranges, instilling pride and a sense of “belongingness”. According to Nagaland Football Association (NFA) Joint Secretary Chenonlo Woch, football in Nagaland is a “community” sport.
MLA and NFA General Secretary Benei M. Lamthiu described how, in far-flung villages of Nagaland, children often play with improvised footballs. But with the rise of new tournaments and leagues, Lamthiu believes both the sport and its fanbase in Nagaland are set to grow.
Beyond passion: what Nagaland football needs
In conversations with football experts, it became clear that Nagaland’s football scene needs more than just passion to truly grow.
Thangboi, a match commissioner at the recently concluded Dr. T. Ao Trophy, stressed the importance of long-term planning for the growth of football in Nagaland. “We need a structured calendar for year-round events, and it should not end with the Dr. T. Ao Trophy alone,” he said. While the Nagaland Super League (NSL) has recently started, he added, its long-term impact remains to be seen.
Thangboi also emphasised the need for more under-age tournaments, regular training programmes, and opportunities for clubs to scout young talent. He highlighted that there is significant potential for girls to progress further in football, both within Nagaland and across India.
Chenonlo Woch, a football enthusiast-turned-administrator, stressed that Nagaland urgently needs more trained coaches, qualified referees, and dedicated football academies to nurture young talent.
On the other hand, Benei M. Lamthiu sensed the urgent need to cultivate a strong club culture in Nagaland. He also pointed out how footballers under the age of 20 and local coaches under the NSL scholarship were sent for formal training, reflecting the state’s growing investment in sports promotion.
He stressed that tactical training is essential for players to compete at higher levels and highlighted the importance of establishing local football academies where young talents can be both trained and nurtured. By combining sports and education, he opined that Nagaland could one day produce players of Dr. T. Ao’s caliber.
Mon’s coach, Tingnyek Konyak, who guided his team to their first-ever title, spoke of prayers answered and the joy of bringing the trophy home. His words capture the passion that drives football in Nagaland. But if emotion is not matched with investment, technical expertise, and infrastructure, this golden moment could fade.
The 24th Dr. T. Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship has shown how collaboration between government agencies, sporting bodies, stakeholders, and passionate fans can all contribute to football in Nagaland.
Also Read | Nagaland: Mon lift 24th Dr T Ao Inter-District Football C’ship in penalty thriller
I’ll come and take the Dr T Ao Trophy 🫡 so be strong 💪