Nagaland Football Association releases the official fixtures for the 25th Dr. T Ao Trophy in Mokokchung.
KOHIMA — The official group stage fixtures of the upcoming 25th Dr. T Ao Trophy (Inter-District Football Championship) have been announced, with matches scheduled to be held from October 13 to the 29th at the Renpo lu Sports Complex in Ungma, Mokokchung.
The tournament is being organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and hosted by the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA), with all 17 districts of the state participating.
According to the fixture, a total of 28 matches will be played during the group stage from October 13 to 22. The 17 participating districts have been divided into four groups. Group A consists of Mon, Dimapur, Zunheboto, Noklak, and Kiphire. Group B includes Kohima, Tseminyu, Shamator, and Longleng. Group C includes Meluri, Tuensang, Wokha, and Mokokchung, while Group D comprises Niuland, Chümoukedima, Phek, and Peren.
The inaugural match will see host district Mokokchung play against Wokha on October 13 at 3 pm. Defending champions Mon district will play their opening match on October 13 against Dimapur district at 3 pm.
On October 14, Meluri will play Tuensang at 11 am, followed by Zunheboto against Noklak at 1 pm. On October 15, Niuland will face Chümoukedima at 9 am, Phek will take on Peren at 11 am, Shamator will play Longleng at 1 pm, and Kohima will face Tseminyu at 3 pm.
On October 16, Meluri will take on Wokha at 9 am, Tuensang will face Mokokchung at 11 am, Zunheboto will play Dimapur at 1 pm, and Mon will face Kiphire at 3 pm. On October 17, Kohima will face Longleng at 9 am, Tseminyu will play Shamator at 11 am, Phek will play Chümoukedima at 1 pm, and Niuland will play Peren at 3 pm.
On October 19, Kiphire will face Noklak at 9 am, Mon will take on Zunheboto at 11 am, Niuland will play Phek at 1 pm, and Chümoukedima will meet Peren at 3 pm. On October 20, Dimapur will play Kiphire at 9 am, Mon will play Noklak at 11 am, Tuensang will face Wokha at 1 pm, and Mokokchung will take on Meluri at 3 pm.
The final set of group matches on October 22 will see Longleng play Meluri at 9 am, Shamator face Kohima at 11 am, Noklak play Dimapur at 1 pm, and Zunheboto take on Kiphire at 3 pm.
In the quarter-final matches on October 23, the winner of Group A will play the runners-up of Group B at 1 pm, and the winner of Group B will play the runners-up of Group A at 3 pm. On October 24, the winner of Group C will face the runners-up of Group D at 1 pm, and the winner of Group D will play the runners-up of Group C at 3 pm.
In the semi-finals, the winner of the first quarter-final will play the winner of the third quarter-final on October 26 at 4 pm, and the winner of the second quarter-final will meet the winner of the fourth quarter-final on October 27 at 4 pm. The winners of the semi-finals will play the final match on October 29 from 4 pm onwards.
The champions will receive a cash prize of INR 3 lakh, the runners-up will receive INR 2 lakh, and the semi-finalists will receive INR 50,000 each, alongside individual awards. The organisers will also provide INR 50,000 to each participating team for preparations, players' travel allowance, and dearness allowance, while the host district will manage local transport, accommodation, and food.