Mon retain Dr T Ao Trophy, edge Tuensang 4-2 on penalties in Mokokchung

Mon are champions of Nagaland district football again. The defending title-holders beat Tuensang 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the final of the 25th Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Championship at the Renpo Lu Sports Complex in Ungma, Mokokchung, on Thursday, October 29.

The win gives Mon back-to-back titles in the tournament's silver jubilee edition, which was hosted by the Mokokchung District Football Association in the home district of the man it honours.

How the final played out

Mon took the lead early. In the 10th minute an own goal, credited to Tuensang's Namang, put the holders ahead, according to Morung Express. Tuensang kept pressing for a way back and finally found it five minutes from the end of normal time, when S Ayenmongba scored in the 85th minute to make it 1-1.

Neither side could find a winner before the final whistle, so the title went to a shootout. Mon converted four of their kicks against Tuensang's two to keep the trophy. Tuensang, who had beaten Zunheboto in the semi-final, finished as runners-up.

Individual awards

• Golden Boot: Imnatoshi (Mokokchung)
• Golden Ball: Eshong Konyak (Mon)
• Golden Glove: Imtikumzuk (Tuensang)
• Best Defender: Haokhohen (Peren)
• Best Midfielder: Mughahuto (Zunheboto)

Rio: don't lose sight of grassroots football

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio attended the closing ceremony, and his remarks were released by the state's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). He recalled that Dr Talimeren Ao, born at Changki village in Mokokchung in 1918, was the first Naga Olympian, captained India's football team at the 1948 London Olympics and became the first Naga doctor in 1950.

Rio said the government is working to lay artificial turf grounds in every district and thanked the All India Football Federation for its support. He asked organisers and clubs to keep spotting and backing young players, especially from rural and remote areas.

He also pointed to a busy calendar ahead. The Nagaland Olympic Association's Nagaland State and Para Games begin on November 2, and the state is preparing to host the wrestling discipline of the 39th National Games in 2027. Rio called Nagaland United's entry into the Indian Football League this season, after it acquired Aizawl FC's league rights, an important milestone, and credited the Nagaland Super League, started in 2024, and the T Ao Trophy with building a pathway for young footballers.

Rural Development Minister Metsübo Jamir was the chief host of the ceremony. Rio thanked Ungma village for giving land for the Renpo Lu Sports Complex.

Next stop: Chümoukedima

The Nagaland Football Association has confirmed that the Chümoukedima District Football Association will host the 26th edition, Mokokchung Times reported. CDFA president Sedevikho Angami told the paper his association had stepped back from bidding for this year's tournament so that the silver jubilee could be held in Dr T Ao's home district. The tournament flag was to be handed over to Chümoukedima at the closing ceremony.

During the same visit to Mokokchung on Friday, Rio also flagged off an advanced life support ambulance and a hearse van for Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, provided by NTPC Ltd under its corporate social responsibility programme, Northeast Now reported.