A jubilant Dimapur team with the Dr T Ao Trophy in Mokokchung on April 29.
Morung Express News
Mokokchung| April 29
Dimapur District Football Association defeated Mon District Football Association 2-0 to lift the 22nd edition of the Inter- District Football Championship Dr T Ao Trophy 2022 here at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung on April 29.
Second half goals from Kivi Zhimomi and Kakhevi half was enough to secure the victory for Dimapur.
Kivi Zhimomi scored in the 59th minute, while Kakhevi finished the game in 84th minute for the Dimapur team. This is the third time the Dimapur are lifting the title. Their last trophy came in 2005.
Mon failed to meet expectations in the final match, even as 500 supporters reportedly came from Mon to cheer for their team. Mon district supporters turned out in large number to cheer for their team in the final. However, it was the Dimapur squad that gained control of the game, and Mon never recovered in the final, as they had to settle for the runner up spot.
The winners, Dimapur, walked away with a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs along with the trophy and certificates. The runners up, Mon, were awarded Rs 2 lakhs with a trophy and certificates.
The final match of the tournament was witnessed by a jam packed crowd with an estimated 10,000 spectators while the live telecast match was also viewed by 41,000 people on YouTube.
The closing ceremony was held earlier in the day, with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest. The Chief Minister stated that the Dr T Ao Trophy is being held to inspire the younger generations.
He emphasised, that despite the state's lack of infrastructure, the government is working to construct infrastructure in all of the districts since this government understands and cares about the younger generation.
Rio also highlighted his desire for state’s young people to serve as ambassadors by participating in national and international tournaments outside of the country. He went on to say that if the state is given the opportunity, it will bid to host the national games in the future.
The Chief Minister meanwhile signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Watsü Mungdang, the organisers of the First Women's Football Championship in the State of Nagaland and the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) in commemoration of the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, to promote girl child welfare under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, and to uplift the game of women’s football in the State.
The agreement also stated that the MDFA will support the Watsu Mungdang in organising the Women's Football tournament by providing technical support free of cost till 2025.
Individual awards
Player of the tournament: Kakhevi Assumi of Dimapur District Football Association
Best goalkeeper: Homuka of Dimapur District Football Association
Best defender: Sanyem Konyak of Mon District Football Association
Best midfielder: Toka Achumi of Dimapur District Football Association
Highest goal scorer: Yhunshalo Kemp (10 goals) of Tseminyu District Football Association
