Dr. T Ao Trophy 2025 groups, fixtures announced

KOHIMA — The groups and partial fixtures for the Dr. T Ao Trophy (Inter-District Football Championship) 2025 were announced on Monday. The premier football tournament of the state is scheduled to be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, from August 1 to the 15th.

The 24th edition of the tournament (men’s football) will feature 17 district teams and will be played on a knockout-cum-league basis. The groups and partial fixtures were revealed at IG Stadium on Monday during a press conference.

The teams have been divided into four groups, with five districts in Group A and four districts each in groups B, C, and D. The defending champion Tuensang was placed in Group A, while the runner-up Peren was placed in Group D.

According to the fixture, in the quarter-finals, the winner of Group A will face the runner-up of Group B, while the winner of Group B will play the runner-up of Group A. Similarly, the winner of Group C will meet the runner-up of Group D, and the winner of Group D will face the runner-up of Group C.

The semi-finals will see the winner of the first quarter-final match playing the winner of the third, while the second quarter-final winner will meet the fourth. The final will be contested between the two semi-final winners.

While the group allocations and knockout pairings have been confirmed, the detailed schedule, including match dates and times, was not announced.

Also read: Kohima District Football Association conducts district team trials for Dr. T Ao Trophy; 33 shortlisted

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This year’s tournament is being organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), hosted by the Kohima District Football Association, and powered by the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), Kohima.

Initially known as the Inter-District Football Championship, the tournament was later renamed after the former Indian football team captain and physician from Nagaland, Dr. Talimeren Ao.

The championship aims to strengthen what is already a football-crazy state, NFA president Neibou Sekhose said during the press conference.

“The concept of the Inter-District Football Championship is to provide a platform where we nurture talent, promote players, promote the game and work within the state to associate sports, especially football, as a viable career for the youth in Nagaland,” he added.

He noted that the potential of football is massive in Nagaland because of the natural talent and athleticism possessed by the people. The requirement for the growth of the game now is proper infrastructure, better facilities, and exposure.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, who is also the secretary of the organising committee, provided an update on the arrangements. Chairman of Kohima DPDB and MLA Kevipodi Sophie and MLA Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhütso will head the organising committee as chairman and co-chairman, respectively. About 20 sub-committees, with nearly 150 members, are working under the guidance of the NFA.

The technical team will be headed by Roko Angami, Asian Football Confederation “B” license holder, while the match commissioner will be Kevingutuo Sekhose, head of referees for the NFA.

The champion will win INR 3 lakh, the runner-up will receive INR 2 lakh, and the semi-finalists will get INR 50,000 each. A total of INR 50,000 each is set as a preparation fund for all 17 district football associations.

Group table