Meluri’s maiden Dr. T Ao Trophy outing means more than just matches

KOHIMA — In the 24th edition of the Dr. T Ao Trophy at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), Kohima, the Football Association Meluri District (FAMD) took to the field for the first time since becoming the 17th district of Nagaland state.

The 24th edition, organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and hosted by the Kohima District Football Association (KDFA), saw Meluri placed in Group D alongside Peren, Kohima and Tseminyu, but it failed to secure a win in any of the three group round matches.

In an interview with Eastern Mirror, Wasatho, president of FAMD, expressed with a sense of fulfilment, “This is a historic moment for Meluri! Representing our district for the first time in the Dr. T Ao Trophy fills us with immense pride. It’s a testament to the hard work of our players, coaches, and supporters.”

Also read: Dr. T Ao Trophy: Wokha, Niuland, Phek, Mon secure wins as group stage concludes

He added, “We hope this inspires more youngsters to take up football and dream big. Being part of this journey is both an honour and a responsibility—we want to make Meluri proud!”

The president shared that FAMD was officially established on November 26, 2024, and affiliated with the NFA on December 12, 2024, with the aim of developing football at the grassroots level in Meluri. He explained that the idea came from a group of passionate football enthusiasts who saw the need for a structured platform to nurture local talent.

It is worth mentioning that before Meluri was granted district status, it was part of the Phek District Sports Association (PDSA) and the Football Association Phek District (FAPD).

Wasatho elaborated that FAMD’s vision is to make football a vehicle for youth empowerment, community bonding, and district pride.

The journey to Dr. T Ao Trophy

As a newly formed football association representing the youngest district, the president also recalled that “the challenges were significant but not insurmountable”, elaborating that limited funding for training kits, travel, and accommodation was a key issue, coupled with the lack of proper training grounds and equipment.

According to him, the present talent pool is also a challenge, as many players are new to competitive football, so the FAMD had to fast-track their development.

However, the president was assertive and said, “Despite these hurdles, the dedication of our players and support from well-wishers kept us going.”

When asked about players’ backgrounds and profiles, Wasatho stated that the squad are a mix of students, farmers, and young professionals who balance their daily lives with football.

He said, “Many come from remote villages where facilities are scarce, yet their passion is unmatched. Out of 25, around 23 are playing in a major tournament for the first time. Their determination to learn and compete at this level is truly inspiring.”

A lifetime takeaway

For 30-year-old Koratu Jourey, a defender for the FAMD team, being part of the first-ever Meluri district squad is a milestone he will cherish forever.

“I was more enthusiastic than my mates to focus on developing and maintaining my passion to be a footballer,” he shared. Inspired by Sergio Ramos, Jourey learned much about playing, defending, and supporting his team by watching the Spanish star’s videos and live games.

On the challenges faced, he pointed to the lack of suitable playgrounds and training facilities as a major obstacle. He also observed that some players struggled to fully implement the build-ups and strategies taught during training.

Looking back on the tournament, Jourey said, “I will never forget the memories we created during our stay, from training till the tournament.”

As for the future, his dream is to see young footballers from Meluri dominate Nagaland. “If the government looks into the interests of many uprising skilful footballers and provides enough facilities and fields to train them, we have every opportunity to be compared to well-known footballers both within and beyond our state,” he said.

Mixture of pride and responsibility

For 26-year-old defender Jimuhie Kajiri, representing Meluri district in its debut at the Dr. T Ao Trophy was an unforgettable mix of pride, responsibility, and excitement. “I am honoured to be part of the team and would like to thank the FAMD for giving me this opportunity,” he said.

His football journey began with playing local matches with friends and representing his school. Inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, Kajiri learned the value of hard work and dedication at an early age.

Balancing physical preparation with mental toughness was one of the biggest challenges he faced during training and the tournament. “Even though we couldn’t win the matches, the efforts and dedication we had till the end will remain unforgettable to me,” he shared.

Looking ahead, Kajiri aspires to continue improving as a footballer, participate in more prestigious tournaments, and see where his passion for the game will take him.

Support and expectations

Meanwhile, the president also shared that the FAMD received encouraging support from local leaders, officers, churches, institutions, organisations, and businesses, including the local MLA and Advisor for New and Renewable Energy and NSDMA Nyusietho Nyuthe, since the trial sessions and even during the tournament.

Yet, he stated, “However, we need more sustained backing—better infrastructure, sponsorships, and community involvement.”

“We hope the people of Meluri rally behind us, not just for this tournament but for long-term football development. Their cheers and belief motivate us to strive harder,” he said.

The president added that the team have given their all, and they have seen flashes of brilliance that, even in challenging matches, their never-give-up attitude stood out.

Preparations

Speaking about the preparations for the trophy, Wasatho stated, “Preparation was tough but rewarding. We trained on basic grounds, often improvising due to limited resources.”

He asserted that friendly matches against neighbouring districts would have helped, and more exposure would have been ideal. He also maintained that the technical team with coaches worked tirelessly to build fitness and tactical understanding.

The president was also content, as, in his words, “The players showed incredible resilience—training after school or work, sometimes even in difficult weather.”

He suggested that for more exposure and experience, the organising committee, NFA, and the hosting district football association should invite district teams without AstroTurf grounds to have practice sessions at least a week before the tournament, as this could help improve the players’ adaptation to the competition.

The way forward

Asserting that this debut participation is only the beginning, he shared FAMD’s future roadmap, which includes launching grassroots academies to systematically train youngsters and hosting annual tournaments to keep talent engaged.

Besides collaborating with schools, NGOs, and sponsors for better infrastructure, they also plan to expand women’s football to ensure inclusivity.

Wasatho stated, “Our dream is to see Meluri produce players who represent the state and nation. With sustained effort, we believe it’s possible!”

Furthermore, he also acknowledged all those who have supported the FAMD and urged more stakeholders to join this movement in order to collectively make Meluri a football hub.