The second edition of the Chümoukedima District Football League will be held from July 25 to August 15 with eight teams competing.
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Our Reporter
DIMAPUR — The Chümoukedima District Football Association (CDFA) has announced that the second edition of the District Football League-cum-Late Rokonicha Champions Trophy will be held from July 25 to August 15 at the Chümoukedima Football Stadium under the theme "One Chümoukedima".
The announcement was made by CDFA President Sedevikho Tsükru during a press conference in Chümoukedima on Saturday. He said the tournament marks the return of the district's premier football competition after the successful inaugural edition in 2022.
Tsükru mentioned that this year's edition has been dedicated to Late Rokonicha, a six-time member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and a prominent public leader of the erstwhile Dimapur district. CDFA expressed gratitude to the late Rokonicha family for sponsoring this edition and for committing support for the next three editions of the tournament.
The competition will feature eight teams in a single league format, with the top four teams advancing to the Late Rokonicha Champions Trophy. The league aims to strengthen grassroots football and provide greater opportunities for local talent in the district.
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He informed that only players registered with the association will be eligible to participate, and guest players will not be allowed. Every participating club will be required to field at least two Under-20 players during each match. In addition, all clubs must appoint coaches holding a minimum AIFF D-License qualification.
The Finance Secretary of CDFA, Seyie Keyho, informed that the winners of both the District Football League and the Late Rokonicha Champions Trophy will receive INR 70,000 each, while the runners-up will be awarded INR 40,000, along with trophies and citations. The losing semi-finalists will receive INR 20,000 each.
Individual honours will also be presented, including Player of the Tournament, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove, and Emerging Player of the Tournament.
Thangboi Thomsong, General Secretary of CDFA informed that the football tournament will be supported by ten village councils serving as tournament patrons, which include Tsiepama Village Council, Piphema Khenu Kruta Krotho, Medziphema Village Council, Ruzaphema Village Council, Seithekema Old Village Council, Seithekema A Village Council, Seithekema C Village Council, Chümoukedima Village Council, Tenyiphe-1 Village Council and Sovima Village Council.
He said that the club registration has already commenced and will remain open until July 18. Registration forms are available through the association's official email, at G-Sports Chümoukedima, and at Boots and Kids Store in Medziphema.
Preference will be given to clubs that participated in the inaugural edition, while qualifying matches may be conducted if the number of applicants exceeds the eight available slots, he added.
The association further informed that matches are expected to be played in the evening under floodlights. Entry will be through a ticketing system, with ticket prices likely to be kept at around INR 20, subject to final confirmation.
The Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, Keoshu Yimchunger has consented to attend the opening ceremony.