KDFA launches inaugural Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League in Kohima, featuring five clubs in a month-long district competition
KOHIMA — The Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) on Wednesday launched the inaugural Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League 2026 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, with five clubs set to compete in the month-long district-level football league.
The league is being organised by the KDFA under the aegis of Nagaland Football Association (NFA), in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS).
The inaugural match was played between Tsutuonuomia Youth Organisation (TYO) and Mez & Co FC.
Five clubs are taking part in the inaugural edition: Mez & Co FC, Tsutuonuomia Youth Organisation, Sechii Zubza FC, Nurturing Youngsters FC and Vanguard Academy from Tseminyu district.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Director of Youth Resources and Sports Kethosituo Sekhose said regular leagues were important for developing sportspersons as they provided sustained exposure and competition.
Also Read: Mokokchung District Taekwondo Association felicitates taekwondo championship medallists
He said it was encouraging to see the KDFA take the initiative to organise a district-level league, noting that sports associations often faced challenges in securing resources for tournaments on a year-to-year basis.
Sekhose expressed hope that the Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League would continue in the coming years. He also acknowledged the family of late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose for signing a five-year memorandum of understanding with the KDFA to support the league.
He urged more families and individuals to support sporting activities in Nagaland, saying sustained support was important for the development of sports in the state.
The director also highlighted the government's initiatives to support athletes, including the Chief Minister's Initiative for Advancement in Sports, announced in the state budget with a corpus of around INR 3 crore annually.
He said five priority sports had been identified under the initiative, with support to athletes for training within and outside the state and, where feasible, outside the country. The assistance would also cover educational fees, boarding, insurance and other necessary expenses.
Sekhose also spoke about the importance of properly maintaining and utilising sports infrastructure being developed across the state.
Earlier, KDFA president Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome said the launch marked an important occasion for football players aspiring to compete at the district level. He thanked the YRS Department for its support and the family of late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose for sponsoring the league in his memory.
NFA president and AIFF Executive Committee member K Neibou Sekhose delivered greetings and unveiled the Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League trophy.
Vanguard Academy will face Nurturing Youngsters FC at 3 pm on Thursday.