Football action across Nagaland will converge in Mokokchung next month as teams representing all 17 districts gear up for the 25th Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Tournament, scheduled from October 13 to 31.

The fixture draw and venue allocation would be conducted on September 21. Apart from deciding the Dr T Ao Trophy, the competition would provide the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) with an opportunity to identify players for the State squads for the Nagaland Olympics and Santosh Trophy.

Preparations have entered a crucial phase at the Renpo Lu Astroturf Ground, Ungma, where construction and allied works are being expedited to make the facility ready for the tournament. The turf is complete and the floodlighting system has been installed, tested and ready for the tournament while work on spectator and player facilities is continuing.

A joint inspection of the venue was carried out on September 19 by officials from the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), NFA, Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA), district administration, police and other departments. DYRS Director Kethosituo Sekhose, NCS, NFA president K. Neibou Sekhose, MDFA president N. Akok Longkumer, Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS, and Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo were among those present.

NFA president, K Neibou Sekhose said the tournament would be closely watched for players capable of earning places in the State teams.

“From here, we are going to select our state team for the Nagaland Olympics as well as the Santosh Trophy,” he said.

He said the association was encouraged by the progress being made at the venue, noting that the latest visit was the NFA’s second inspection of the preparations.

“We are very happy to see the preparations,” Sekhose said, recalling that the NFA had earlier met the Deputy Commissioner and district officials to discuss arrangements for the competition.

The NFA president said every district team was preparing for the tournament and that the association would provide Rs 50,000 to each district as assistance towards its preparations.

He described the Dr T Ao Trophy as having developed a profile beyond the State, saying it was “one of the most popular tournaments” at the district level.

The organisers are also looking beyond the matches to mark the 25th edition.

According to Sekhose, the NFA is attempting to bring former Indian footballers and personalities associated with the national team to the silver jubilee programme. Discussions with former India captains are expected in Kolkata on October 3 and 4, after which the confirmed names may be made public.

Representatives from football clubs, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the North East Football Development Council are also being invited.

The tournament carries the name of Dr T Ao, the Nagaland footballer who represented India, and the NFA intends to use the silver jubilee occasion to connect the current generation of players with personalities from Indian football.

Sekhose also stressed the place football occupies in Nagaland society.

“Football is our household name in Nagaland,” he said, adding that the sport can bring together people belonging to different tribes.

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“Football is not only football. It brings the people together. We have different tribes but when it comes to football we speak one language,” he said.

The Renpo Lu Astroturf Ground was initially not scheduled for completion in time for an October tournament. However, the decision to host the Dr T Ao Trophy there has resulted in the construction schedule being brought forward.

DYRS Director Kethosituo Sekhose said the original project schedule extended into 2027, while a completion target of November 26, 2026 had also been set for the facility.

He said the Government, contractor, MDFA, NFA and district officials were working together to advance the works.

“The government, as well as the contractors, the MDFA, the NFA, including our Deputy Commissioner and SP, everyone is very concerned,” he said.

The astroturf is already ready, and the floodlights have been installed. The prefabricated multipurpose hall is also nearing completion.

Works still being taken up include the gallery, pavilion, players’ restrooms, match officials’ rooms and portions of the toilets, besides other supporting facilities.

The department has asked the contractor to complete the priority works within the next fortnight.

“We are requesting our contractors to finish the works within the next two weeks,” the Director said.

He clarified that facilities not essential to hosting the tournament would continue to be completed after the competition.

The limited time available has resulted in several components being taken up simultaneously.

The Director said the engineering team, including the executive engineer in charge of the project, other departmental engineers and the contractor’s technical personnel, were working at the venue.

He said the earlier stages that required sequential completion were largely over, allowing several remaining activities to progress together.

“There are a lot of things that can happen parallelly,” he said.

Kethosituo Sekhose referred to the preparations for the Dr T Ao Junior Girls National Tournament, which he said had demonstrated that major works could be completed within a short period when different activities were carried out concurrently.

For the upcoming competition, the immediate objective is to have a functional venue for the matches, with non-essential works to follow.

1,250-lux floodlighting in place

The accelerated schedule, according to the Director, is not being allowed to affect safety or quality requirements.

He said prefabricated components are subjected to safety checks during fabrication and installation, while concrete foundations are given adequate curing time.

Quality control is also being supported by third-party inspections.

The floodlighting system has been tested and calibrated, with illumination recorded at 1,250 lux. The system has undergone third-party certification and is currently classified at FIFA Class Three level.

The lighting will allow the venue to host matches in the evening.

Spectator management and parking arrangements

The organisers are also preparing for a potentially heavy spectator turnout.

The Director recalled that the previous edition saw attendance exceed the stated capacity of approximately 13,000, with more than 30,000 people reported on the final day.

Parking availability around the Ungma venue was consequently discussed during the inspection. Plans are being examined to use areas outside the immediate stadium surroundings while coordinating vehicle movement with the police and traffic authorities.

The Director said spectators may also need to park at some distance from the ground and walk to the venue, a practice followed at major football stadiums in other countries.

Mokokchung has previous experience of hosting the Dr T Ao Trophy. NFA vice president Meyisanger Lemtur recalled that the 2022 edition was held at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex in the district.

The availability of the new Ungma facility is expected to add another venue to Mokokchung’s sporting infrastructure.