Team Vanguard Old Boys emerged as the champions of the 10th edition of the Morning Premier League (MPL) 2025, presented by Lirunas, under the theme “Health and Friendship,” held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Commemorating its 10th year anniversary, Morning Premiere League held its closing ceremony on July 17 with 10 teams vying for the Champions trophy.
At the closing ceremony, Neibou Sekhose, President, Nagaland Football Association congratulated MPL for their 10 incredible years which showcased a testament to the power of football and community, where friendships are forged and memories are created.
Sekhose also mentioned that sports signify the innate good in man and a world where all have an equal opportunity, where everything depends on ability on personally skill and efficiency, where the reward is based on merit.
“In the sport there is no language barriers because everyone speech one language – with one rule,” he said.
Sekhose emphasized that in sports one needs to fight to reach their dreams, have to sacrifice and work hard for it. He also said that team sports like football teaches important life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and time management, as players collaborate to achieve a common goal, they learn to value individual strengths while acknowledging the significance of collective effort.
He also said that sports teaches character, to play by the rules, to know what it feels like to win or lose, it teaches you about life.
Appreciating the MPL team which consists of players aged above 35, Sekhose said that 35 plus is a golden age, where the juniors look up to them and the seniors have confidence on their leadership to lead the team.
Highlighting about the inception of MPL, Burakum, President, Morning Football Association said that it was born in the year 2011 with a handful of people. He said what started as friendly matches among friends, primarily focused on health benefits, eventually evolved into a regular sporting event. By 2015, these matches formalized into the MPL under the aegis of the Morning Football Association, with the first official MPL match played at T Khel Ground, he added.
‘Talking about The main motive of MPL’s inception, Akum mentioned that the match played between friends precisely focused on health benefits became a regular match which turned into MPL on 2015 played under the aegis of Morning Football Association while the first MPL match was played at T Khel ground in the year 2015 .
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Akum also thanked the Youth Resources Department for allowing MPL to be played at IG Stadium. He also thanked all the title sponsors for their support. He highlighted that the MPL take 35 years above players, however they will be raising the age to 40 .
Recounting the initiative of founding member, late Lopenkokba, Akum said that MPL started its league with enthusiasm under his guidance. He also said that MPL has no sponsors but runs with registration fee.
He also informed that from July 21 they will start LMCC ( Lopenkokba Champions Memorial Cup ) which is named after the late founding member president which will be played for one month.
Out of the 10 teams from MPL, two teams (Kohima Police & United Bulls ) have been relegated while four new teams will vie for the MPL 2026. LMCC is a short tournament which serves as a qualifier for the next MPL season. The four new teams will be competing with the 6 teams that are qualified from MPL 2025. From the new four teams the top two team will be automatically promoted to MPL 2026.
Lipokzulu, Vice-President & Co-founder, Morning Football Association in his memoriam speech reflected solemnly on the lives of the members who have journeyed in MPL but no longer with them. Remembering the founding president Late Lopen Jamir, he said that he was a man of vision, integrity and unwavering passion. His leadership led upon the foundation in which MPL stands today, he added.
Mele Pucho was the host for the closing ceremony while Ahyulo Kemp, Associate Pastor Rengma Baptist Church Kohima invoked the gathering with prayer. Rhythm Rascals performed dance and Brooke Shitiri enthralled the gathering with a special song. Colonel Tarun Rana Commandant 13 AR was the Special guest while Femina Miss India Nagaland 2023 Ezhotuo Keyho , Chenolo Woch Jt. Secy NFA and Kevingutuo Sekhose HoR were present at the closing ceremony.
List of Individual Winners
Best Midfielder—Adam (Eagle FC)
Best Defender—Akhe (Morning FC)
Fair Play Award—Morung United
Player of the Season—Anguzo (Vanguard FC Old Boys)
Golden Boot—Mele (Unity FC), Benlo Kemp (Vanguard FC Old Boys)
Golden Glove—Avise Chase (Vanguard FC Old Boys)
