Vanguard FC Old Boys successfully defend their Morning Premier League title at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.
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KOHIMA — Vanguard FC Old Boys successfully defended their championship title in the 11th edition of the Morning Premier League (MPL) 2026, which culminated at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Thursday.
The tournament, an initiative of the Morning Football Association (MFA), kicked off on February 9. MLA and General Secretary of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) Benei M Lamthiu attended the closing ceremony as the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Lamthiu said that the state government today is not in a position to accommodate all the youths through government jobs. He added that they are finding out certain means and ways to provide employment at a higher level and that sports was one such industry.
He said that to nurture professional sportspeople from the state, the support of every organisation is required. He thanked the football association for being good ambassadors of football for Nagaland, noting that the state needs more organisations to promote the sport.
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Commandant of the 45th Assam Rifles Krishna Mishra, who was the guest of honour at the closing ceremony, appreciated the players for demonstrating team spirit to the younger generation.
A total of 10 teams competed in the league, including Morung United, Merhulietsa FC, Mustang FC, Eagle FC, Vanguard FC Old Boys, Gethemgo, Unity FC, All Blacks, Nyibon FC, and Morning Football Club.
The fastest hat-trick was scored by Silvi of Morning FC in three minutes. Double hat-tricks were registered by Mele Pucho of Unity FC and Yhunshalo of Vanguard FC Old Boys. The record for the most hat-tricks scored in a single match was set by Theja, Khriesito, and Burakum during the encounter between Morung United and Nyibon FC.
In the individual awards, Yhunshalo of Vanguard FC Old Boys won the Golden Boot, while his teammate Avisa was awarded the Golden Glove. Vezelie and Benlo, also from Vanguard FC Old Boys, won the Best Defender and Best Midfielder awards, respectively.
Mele Pucho of Unity FC was named the Player of the Season, and Eagle FC received the Fairplay Award.