Sharingain Longkumer with MDFA officials after launching
Zonal Association at Whispering Winds, Mokokchung on Tuesday.
MOKOKCHUNG — In a
step toward restoring Mokokchung’s football prominence, the Mokokchung District
Football Association (MDFA) officially launched its zonal association programme
on Tuesday at Whispering Winds, Mokokchung, with Nagaland Legislative Assembly
Speaker Sharingain Longkumer as the chief guest.
The initiative aims to revitalise football at the grassroots
level across the district, marking a strategic push to nurture talent and
rebuild Mokokchung’s storied football legacy.
In his address, Longkumer lauded the MDFA’s Zonal
Association as a “thoroughly crafted programme” designed to penetrate
grassroots football, emphasising its critical role in identifying not just
talent but also team players with mental resilience, consistency and discipline.
“To match the infrastructure and performance standards of
other states, we need participation from every corner, and MDFA is the perfect
platform to issue this clarion call,” he said.
He urged the association to provide targeted sensitisation
to empower young players at the grassroots level.
Reflecting on past challenges, Longkumer noted that
Mokokchung lacked sports infrastructure for decades and that successive
governments had poured resources into football but lacked proper
infrastructure. “The incumbent government has learned from these shortcomings,
prioritising infrastructure before initiatives like the Nagaland Super League
(NSL),” he said, highlighting the shift from direct funding to capacity
building and infrastructure development.
“Nagaland is no longer a welfare state; it’s becoming a
contributor and participatory state,” he added.
Longkumer advised the MDFA to complete its organisational
restructuring and infrastructure upgrades ahead of hosting high-level events
like the NSL.
“We must recalibrate
our systems, with dedicated teams to promote grassroots football, backed by
logistics, resources, and administrative support,” he said.
He also provided an update on the FIFA-grade Astroturf
football ground at Rempukong, Ungma, located 5 km from Mokokchung town along
NH202.
“Phase II is ongoing, with Phase III in the pipeline. Once
operational, this ground will feature amenity centres, bus terminals, parking
areas, and multipurpose facilities, setting a new standard for management,” he
shared.
MDFA President N Akok Longkumer echoed the urgency to
reverse the district’s declining football scene, despite its enduring
popularity.
“We’re at a turning point, and this zonal structure is our
strategy to revamp football from the ground up,” he said, acknowledging the
need for human resources, fresh ideas, and financial support. He thanked the
NLA Speaker for his generous contribution to the launch.
Sharingain Longkumer with MDFA members after launching Zonal
Association at Whispering Winds, Mokokchung on Tuesday.
Executive member Yimya Jamir reminisced about Mokokchung’s
past as a hub for footballers who shone across Nagaland and beyond, expressing
concern over the current talent drought and reinforcing the need for grassroots
revival.
The Zonal Association programme will establish nine zones
under the MDFA’s ambit: Mokokchung Municipal Zone, Ongpangkong North Zone, Ongpangkong
South Zone, Kobulong Zone, Chuchuyimlang Zone, Tuli Zone, Mangkolemba Zone,
Longchem Zone and Merangmen Zone. The first phase will focus on forming
associations in Kobulong, Mangkolemba and Tuli.
The structure aims to streamline the district’s numerous
unrecognised local tournaments, enhancing player selection through broader
participation and improved management.
