Atuo Mezhür, a towering figure in Nagaland’s sports and education landscape breathed his last on June 13 after a prolonged illness
Share
KOHIMA — Pelezotuo Mezhür Sekhose, popularly known as Atuo Mezhür, a towering figure in Nagaland’s sports and education landscape, passed away on the night of June 13 after a prolonged illness. He was 77.
Born on May 20, 1948, to Samuel and Banuo Mezhür, Atuo was the second of seven siblings. He dedicated his life to public service, education, and the promotion of sports across the state.
At the time of his death, he was serving as the State Chief Commissioner of the Nagaland Bharat Scouts and Guides, a position he held since 2018. Prior to this, he had served as the State Commissioner (Scouts) from 2011 to 2018.
He was also the incumbent Managing Director and Proprietor of Mezhür Higher Secondary School in Kohima, a school founded by his father in 1958.
In sports administration, Mezhür's involvement spanned decades. He was President of the Nagaland Table Tennis Association since 1997.
His national involvement included serving as an executive member of the All India Football Federation from 1992 to 2000 and later as Vice President from 2000 to 2008. He also served on the federation’s Appeal Committee from 2012 to 2016.
On the international front, he represented India at the FIFA Conference in Sydney in 2008, alongside prominent figures like Union Ministers PR Dasmunsi and Praful Patel. He had earlier completed the FIFA Football Management Training Course in Phuket, Thailand, in 2002.
Atuo Mezhür
Mezhür also led Indian youth football delegations abroad, serving as Chef-de-Mission for the U-21 Indian National Football Team’s tour of Mauritius in 1998 and for the U-19 team’s tour of Northern Ireland and England in 2004, where the team won the Ian Rush Trophy.
His roles within the state included serving as General Secretary and later President of the Nagaland Football Association from 1990 to 2020. He also held the position of General Secretary of the Nagaland Olympic Association from 1988 to 2002.
Outside the sports domain, he worked as Regional Manager for the North East Region of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from 1986 to 2008.
In 1977, he contested the 4th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election from 9-Kohima Town Constituency.
Within the church, he served as Chairman of the Executive Council of Baptist Mission Church, Kohima, from 2020 to 2023.
The funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Saturday at Mezhür Higher Secondary School in Kohima.
NOA expresses grief
The Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) issued a condolence message mourning his passing. NOA Secretary General Abu Metha said that Mezhür as a foundational figure in the state’s sporting development and recalled his critical role in laying the groundwork for many of Nagaland’s present-day sports institutions.
He highlighted Mezhür’s leadership across various sports bodies and his international contributions in football.
Metha extended condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the sporting fraternity.