The Kohima District Football Association on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the family of Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose for the institution of the “Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League.”
The MoU signing ceremony was held at 2K Hotel, Kohima, marking a significant milestone in promoting football in the district while honouring the legacy of the late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose, a respected figure in Nagaland’s football fraternity.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) alongside the launch of the “Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League”, Late Atuo Mezhür’s Son Lhouvizosier Mezhür Sekhosedescribed the occasion as a privilege and an honour, saying the family was deeply grateful to see his father’s name associated with an initiative that would unite the community, nurture local talent, and elevate football in the district.
He said such an initiative could not have happened by chance, but was the result of vision, commitment, passion, and dedication. He expressed special appreciation to the Technical Director of the KDFA, who had shared a close relationship with his father, for taking the initiative to champion the league and bring the idea to fruition through his guidance and passion for football.
Lhouvizosier also thanked the leadership of the Kohima District Football Association and everyone involved in making the partnership a reality through their hard work and administrative efforts.
Recalling his father’s lifelong love for sports, he said Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose was actively involved in promoting and managing various sporting disciplines at both the state and national levels. While football held a special place, his interests extended to table tennis, tennis, badminton, golf, motor racing, weightlifting, cricket, swimming, basketball, and several other sports.
He said his father possessed a deep admiration for competition, teamwork, and athletic excellence, describing him as someone whose passion for sports was unquestionable.
Quoting legendary Scottish football manager Bill Shankly—“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it is much more serious than that”—he said football has the unique ability to bring communities together, build character, and create lasting bonds among people.
Describing the MoU as more than just a legal agreement, he said it symbolised a shared commitment between his family and the Kohima District Football Association to support young athletes, promote sportsmanship, and invest in the future of football in the district.
He added that by organising the Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League, the association was doing more than hosting a football tournament—it was preserving the memory, spirit, and legacy of his father, a gesture for which his family would always remain grateful.
Addressing the signing ceremony , General Secretary Viliebeizo Liezietsu said the occasion was not merely about signing an agreement but about preserving a legacy, celebrating a vision, and committing to a future inspired by one of Nagaland’s greatest football administrators.
He said the partnership marked a significant milestone in the history of football in both Kohima and Nagaland, as the KDFA and the family of Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose came together to establish the Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League.
Describing Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose as more than an administrator, Liezietsu said he was a mentor, statesman, visionary educator, and pioneer who devoted his life to the development of football. His contributions, he noted, extended beyond district and state boundaries, earning him recognition and respect throughout the Indian football fraternity.
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He highlighted that Sekhose had served with distinction as President and General Secretary of the Nagaland Football Association and later as Vice President of the All India Football Federation. Through these roles, he made lasting contributions to football development at both the state and national levels.
Liezietsu said Sekhose’s leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment laid the foundation for many of the opportunities that the football community in Nagaland enjoys today.
He said the Kohima District Football Association believed the most meaningful way to honour such an extraordinary individual was not through words alone, but by creating opportunities that continued the work he had so passionately begun.
Calling the Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Super League more than just a football tournament, he described it as a living tribute and the premier competition under the KDFA, reflecting the association’s commitment to excellence, professionalism, discipline, and sportsmanship.
According to him, the league aims to raise the standard of football in the district through professionally managed and transparent competition, strengthen football clubs by encouraging better organisation and long-term planning, provide a structured pathway for talented players to progress to higher levels of the game, inspire young footballers through a culture of discipline and respect, and preserve the enduring legacy of Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose for generations to come.
Liezietsu said the maiden edition will feature eight teams competing in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the Champion’s Cup.
To promote youth development, every team will be required to field at least two Under-20 players in its starting eleven. Teams will be permitted to register a maximum of three guest players, although only two guest players may feature in the playing XI during a match.
In keeping with the spirit of the league, Liezietsu announced that 20 per cent of all match-day ticket revenue will be contributed to the Atuo Mezhür Sekhose Trust Fund, ensuring that the league also serves as a lasting tribute to the late football administrator.
Highlighting the historical football ties between Kohima and Tseminyu, he noted that before 2021, Tseminyu formed part of Kohima district and had produced numerous players, officials, and football enthusiasts who contributed significantly to football’s growth in the region.
Recognising that the newly established Tseminyu District Football Association may not yet be in a position to organise a competition of similar scale, the KDFA has allotted two slots to clubs from Tseminyu district for participation in the inaugural edition. He said the district had officially accepted the invitation, and its inclusion would strengthen the spirit of unity, cooperation, and brotherhood between the two footballing communities.
Liezietsu said the league is envisioned as a sustainable platform through which both districts can nurture local talent and provide greater opportunities for players to gain competitive exposure at the district level.
Describing MoU as more than a formal agreement, he said it represented a covenant founded on mutual respect and a shared vision. He expressed gratitude to the family of Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose for entrusting the KDFA with the responsibility of carrying forward his name through what he described as a prestigious football league.
He expressed hope that the league would not only produce outstanding footballers and capable administrators but also responsible citizens who embody the values that Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose stood for—humility, teamwork, service, and excellence.
“Let today’s signing be remembered as the beginning of a new chapter—one that honours the past while boldly embracing the future,” he said, adding that the association hopes the name of Atuo Mezhür Sekhose will continue to inspire generations of footballers and football lovers across Nagaland.
The program was chaired by Medolenuo Loucü Press Secretary, KDFA and was attended by family of Late Atuo Mezhür Sekhose and KDFA officials.
