The 26th edition of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Martyrs Memorial Trophy would be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, from November 13 to December 3, with a total prize pool of ₹8.8 lakh.

The announcement was made by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) and the organising committee at a press conference held at the ASU office in Kohima on Tuesday.

The tournament, one of Nagaland’s prominent football events, would be organised with the support of the Nagaland Olympic Association and in collaboration with the Hornbill Festival 2026. The tournament would run for 17 days, with the grand finale scheduled for December 3, coinciding with the Hornbill Festival.

Convenor of the organising committee, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, said the committee had decided to introduce several changes for the 26th edition after deliberations and a review of previous tournaments.

He said teams from across Nagaland and the Northeast are expected to participate. However, owing to the limited 17-day schedule, the number of participating teams would be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Interested teams have been urged to collect and submit their forms at the earliest.

As part of the new initiatives, the ASU and organising committee will introduce a tender system on a trial basis for managing the tournament. Interested parties can approach the ASU office for the tender covering tournament and ground management, as well as the operation of a hotel or restaurant at IG Stadium during the tournament period.

The tender amount has been fixed at ₹12 lakh, with the final discretion to award the tender resting with the ASU. Priority would initially be given to student bodies, followed by other organisations, churches, village youth groups and students.

The committee also announced 10 lucky draws, beginning from the quarter-finals through to the grand finale. The draws will be conducted through spectators’ entry tickets.

The organising committee has also invited firms, companies and agencies to partner with the tournament by advertising their products and services, particularly as the event will form part of Hornbill Festival 2026.

Registration and prize money

Games and Sports Secretary of the ASU, Seyielhuosa Keyho, said application forms for the tournament will be available from September 28, while the last date for submission will be October 24. Fixtures will be drawn on November 2.

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The form fee has been fixed at ₹300, while the entry fee is ₹7,000.

Forms would be available at Kiran Sports in Dimapur, G-Sports in Chümoukedima, Sports World and the ASU office in Kohima, Urban Concerns at High School Kohima , and Falcon Corner in Medziphema.

The champions would receive ₹3.5 lakh along with citations and medals, while the runners-up would receive ₹2 lakh. The two losing semi-finalists would receive ₹60,000 each and the four losing quarter-finalists ₹30,000 each.

Individual awards include ₹10,000 each for the Best Custodian, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Golden Boot/Top Scorer, Fair Play Award and Most Promising Player Under-19, along with citations.

The Player of the Tournament would receive ₹30,000 with a citation, while a Player of the Match award will be given for every match.

ASU to host cultural fiesta

The ASU also announced that it would organise a cultural fiesta for the first time on September 21 under the theme “Together in Culture, Together in Harmony.”

The event would bring together subordinate tribal student bodies settled in Kohima. Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio is scheduled to attend as chief guest, while the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation president will deliver a solidarity message, the NSF president will offer greetings and the president of the Angami Public Organisation will deliver an exhortation.

ASU president, Dezevise Nakro said the cultural programme aims not only to promote Naga cultures but also to encourage unity among Nagas amid what he described as growing “ism, pride and ego” within the community.

Through the initiative, he said, the ASU seeks to reinforce the message that Nagas are one and should remain united.