The curtains fell on the 24th edition of the prestigious Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2025 with Mon District lifting their maiden title before a record-breaking crowd of over 28,000 spectators
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Honouring a Legend
The tournament traces its roots to 1976, when the Inter-District Football Championship was launched to promote grassroots competition. In 2004, it was renamed the Dr. T. Ao Trophy to honour Dr. Talimeren Ao, Nagaland’s pioneering Olympian and the first captain of independent India’s football team at the 1948 London Olympics.
Over the years, the tournament evolved with milestones: the introduction of structured training in 2009, digital coverage in 2011, and full participation from 17 districts in 2023. The 2025 edition set new records, with packed stadiums and 1.3 lakh online viewers tuning into the final.
Dr. Ao himself was more than a footballer. A scholar and physician, he embodied discipline and service, reminding youth that true greatness lies not just in victory but in unity and character.
A Tournament That Grows With Nagaland
The 2025 edition, organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) with support from AIFF, DYRS, hosted by Kohima DPDB and KDFA, showcased both growth and ambition:
a) 17 districts competed, divided into four groups.
b) 36 matches were played, including 28 group-stage games.
c) 112 goals were scored, averaging over three per match.
d) Each district team received INR 50,000 support for preparation.
e) Games were hosted on the newly upgraded AstroTurf pitch at IG Stadium.
f) Average attendance exceeded 7,000 per match, highlighting football’s growing popularity.
As one fan from Dimapur put it: “I’ve never seen such unity in one stadium. Today, we were not Mon, Niuland, or Kohima—we were all Nagas.”
The Song that brought trophy home (Kenlak Nang O Ute by Hentok Konyak)
The final was an electrifying clash between Mon and Niuland. Niuland took the lead in the 14th minute, but Mon equalised just before halftime. After a tense extra-time deadlock, the match headed to penalties, where Mon triumphed 6–5, seizing their first-ever Dr. T. Ao Trophy.
The stadium reverberated with the now-iconic Konyak love song, “You will slowly and steadily fall in love with me.” What began as a melody of romance became the anthem of the tournament, symbolizing Nagaland’s steady and irresistible embrace of football. As a college student from Mokokchung remarked: “The chant gave me goosebumps. For the first time, football felt like a song we all sang together.”
Among the unforgettable highlights was the performance of Kivika Achumi, whose soulful rendition of the Sumi classic “She Lomi” kept the crowd swaying in unison. Just as the Konyak chant became the anthem of football, Achumi’s song reminded spectators that love, longing, and togetherness are part of Nagaland’s heartbeat—woven into both melody and sport.
For many, this recognition of local singing talent was as important as the matches themselves, showing how sport and art together can forge identity and belonging.
A Festival of Unity
The closing ceremony, graced by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, highlighted football’s role in transcending tribal and geographical lines. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to expand infrastructure, nurture rural talent, and promote sports as careers.
Cultural performances lit up the evening, blending tradition with modern passion, but the lasting memory was the chorus of the Konyak song rising from every corner of the stadium. For many, it symbolised how Nagaland’s relationship with football has grown—slow, steady, but unstoppable.
Football Meets Culture
What set this edition apart was not only the football but also the integration of Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage into the tournament. Local musicians and choirs were given a platform to perform before matches and during halftime, creating an atmosphere where music and football blended seamlessly.
The heart throb refrain of the Konyak song was joined by other local voices, with young singers from different tribes performing contemporary and folk numbers that carried both pride and freshness. For many, this recognition of local singing talent was as important as the matches themselves, showing how sport and art together can forge identity and belonging.
As one student from Mokokchung said: “For the first time, it felt like our voices and our football were part of the same movement. We weren’t just spectators, we were participants in something bigger.”
Gratitude to the Organisers
No tournament of this magnitude could succeed without the dedication of its organisers. The event managers, coordinators, and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail: from scheduling matches to orchestrating cultural performances, was carried out with precision and passion.
Their behind-the-scenes efforts transformed the 2025 edition into what many described as the best-organized Dr. T. Ao Trophy ever. From synchronised logistics to vibrant ceremonies, they turned the tournament into a seamless symphony of sport and culture.
It was not only footballers and singers who shone but also the unsung heroes of management, those who planned, synchronised, and orchestrated the event so beautifully that it will be remembered for years to come.
Turning Momentum into Movement
The 2025 edition has laid the groundwork for bold ambitions:
1. School Leagues: Under-14 and under-16 competitions to nurture youth.
2. Women’s Football: Launch of a women’s Dr. T. Ao Trophy.
3. Infrastructure Expansion: New facilities in remote districts like Noklak, Mon, and Kiphire.
4. Digital Growth: Wider broadcasting and global visibility.
5. Talent Pathways: Scholarships, club scouting, and coaching programs.
These steps aim to establish Nagaland as the football hub of the North-East, carrying forward Dr. Ao’s dream.
Why It Matters
The Dr. T. Ao Trophy is bigger than a sporting event. It is a movement of heritage, pride, and unity. It brings together districts divided by geography and language, empowers youth, fuels local economies, and celebrates the Naga spirit.
In the words of one young spectator: “The chant was right—we have slowly and steadily fallen in love. Not just with football, but with unity itself.”
Rising With Dr. T. Ao’s Spirit
Nagaland is rising: one goal, one match, one district at a time. At its heart beats the spirit of Dr. Talimeren Ao, who proved that sport can be a force for service and hope.
As the stadium lights dimmed in Kohima, one truth shone bright: the Dr. T. Ao Trophy is not about who lifts the cup, but about a people discovering unity, resilience, and love slowly, steadily, and forever.
Fr. Innocent sdb