The Dimapur District Football League 2026 cum Late Hejeto Ayemi Memorial Trophy will be held from September 15.
DIMAPUR — The Dimapur District Football Association (DDFA) is set to organise the Dimapur District Football League 2026-cum-Late Hejeto Ayemi Memorial Trophy, scheduled to take place from September 15 to October 5 at the Dimapur District Sports Council Stadium.
This was announced by DDFA President Mughato Aye during a press conference at the DDFA office in Dimapur on Thursday.
Stating that football leagues had been held intermittently in Dimapur in the past, Aye said the association had been discussing the revival and establishment of a regular district football league for the past two to three years.
Aye said the state government has been supporting sports infrastructure by providing artificial turf facilities across the districts, with Kohima being the first to receive one. Dimapur was expected to be among the next districts to get the facility but is yet to receive one.
He said the DDFA has waited for the past two to three years in the hope that the facility would be provided, but there is still no sign of an artificial turf in Dimapur, which he described as very disappointing.
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Highlighting Dimapur's past contribution to football in Nagaland, Aye said the district was once regarded as the powerhouse of football in the state, with nearly half of the players in Nagaland's Santosh Trophy, junior, and sub-junior teams coming from Dimapur.
He said the district continued to have young and raw footballing talent, but the lack of regular competitions and proper training facilities had affected the development of the sport.
He mentioned that watching other districts organise football tournaments and develop their infrastructure made the association realise that it could no longer continue waiting for an Astro turf before carrying out its activities.
He said the DDFA subsequently decided to explore avenues for financial support, noting that sporting activities could not progress without adequate financial backing.
Aye informed that in December last year, the association began discussions with MLA and Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election H Tovihoto Ayemi, who agreed to sponsor the tournament.
He added that the DDFA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ayemi for a period of 15 years to sponsor the Dimapur District Football League-cum-Late Hejeto Ayemi Memorial Trophy.
He also shared that Late Hejeto Ayemi, after whom the trophy has been named, was the father of Tovihoto Ayemi and was regarded as one of the pioneers of Dimapur district.
The DDFA president also appealed to the higher authorities, Dimapur-I, II, and III MLAs, and civil society organisations to impress upon the government the need to provide an artificial turf for Dimapur. He said the football fraternity has been eagerly waiting for the facility.
He also added that due to the short preparation period, only the first eight team slots will be available in the inaugural edition of the league. He added that the teams will first compete in the league phase, after which the top four teams will advance to the championship stage.
Prize money has been allocated for both phases of the competition. The top four teams in the league phase will receive prize money, while a separate prize pool has been earmarked for the championship phase.
Two matches will be played each day, while the detailed fixtures and match timings are expected to be announced later.