The Naga Students Federation & Angami Students Union will be organizing the 25th Anniversary Edition, NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy 2025 from September 13 to October 18. Matches will be held in two districts – at IG Stadium, Kohima, and Chumoukedima Football Stadium.
In regards to the upcoming memorial trophy, the steering committee announced a prize pool of Rs 15 lakhs for the winners including attractive cash awards for champions, runners-up, semi-finalists, quarter-finalists, and individual performers. Giveaways and lucky draws for fans are also planned for tournament.
During the press briefing, Neizokhotuo Belho , Member Secretary informed that forms would be issued on August 9 and the last date for submission would be August 30. Entry fee will be Rs. 10,000 per team.
He also informed that Entry Forms will be available at Kohima (NSF Office, ASU Office; Sports Paradise, Keziekie, Sports World, Main town, Royal Enfield, High School). In Medziphema, the forms will be available at Falcon Corner, Chumoukedima at G-Sport , at Dimapur (Kiran Sports & Stationeries, DNSU office) at Senapati (SDSA office) and at Mokokchung (AKM office).
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Belho alos mentioned that the NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy was initiated to honor the memory of two student martyrs, who laid down their lives during the peaceful student protest on April 30, 1986, against detrimental state policies. “It is more than just a football tournament; it is a living tribute to Naga political consciousness, sacrifice, and the spirit of resistance,” he added.
Diezevisie Nakhoo, Angami Students Union President while mentioning about the Trophy Tour Across Naga Homeland highlighted that the trophy has already toured 15 NSF federating units across Nagaland and Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur and Myanmar, carrying with it a message of peace, unity, and solidarity. On September 4, it will be handed back to the NSF in a ceremonial exchange. On September 13, the tournament will officially kick off at IG Stadium, Kohima, with a formal handing over of the trophy from NSF to the families of the martyrs.
Sedeneikho Shosahie – Convener/ media incharge highlighted that since 1998, the tournament has seen champions from various clubs and student unions. More than 19,200 players and 1,920 team officials have participated over 24 editions. Also the 17th edition in 2016 saw the highest participation since the inception of the event, with a total of 66 teams taking part setting a record from the 1s to the 24th edition.
The tournament has seen several remarkable milestones. He also added that in 2008 the first female team manager of NSF was Temjenjungla Jamir (Blue Chester), in 2014 the First foreign coach was N Robert Beregau (St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama football team ), In 2015, oldest player was J Jujong Khiam of Khulioh, age 43 of King FC Tuensang and in 2017 the first foreign player was Onyeama Francis Okechukwa of Lamphal FC Manipur .
Organisational Legacy:
The tournament, originally named the “Open NSF Martyrs’ Trophy,” was rebranded in 1998 as the NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy. Organised consistently by the ASU under the aegis of the NSF, it has become a platform for nurturing both professional and aspiring footballers in the Naga region and beyond.
