Mokokchung, October 2 (MExN): Football has always been the most popular sport in Mokokchung district and the MDFA Trophy is undoubtedly the biggest sporting event in the district. The Mokokchung District Football Association has over the years been promoting the beautiful game in Mokokchung ever since its inception in the year 1992. This year marks 25 years of MDFA’s existence and, not surprisingly, MDFA is making some remarkable changes to notch up the game. Mokokchung, October 2 (MExN): Football has always been the most popular sport in Mokokchung district and the MDFA Trophy is undoubtedly the biggest sporting event in the district. The Mokokchung District Football Association has over the years been promoting the beautiful game in Mokokchung ever since its inception in the year 1992. This year marks 25 years of MDFA’s existence and, not surprisingly, MDFA is making some remarkable changes to notch up the game. The 23rd edition of MDFA Trophy is scheduled to begin from October 3 and will go on till October 21, 2017 where 15 clubs from across Mokokchung district will be competing. Some of the top football players in Nagaland will also feature in the tournament representing the various clubs. This being the silver jubilee year of MDFA, the total prize money for the tournament has been enhanced to a record Rs.3.80 lakhs, where the winning team will walk away with Rs.2 lakhs. Also, MDFA have unveiled a new trophy in commemoration of its silver jubilee.MDFA in order to promote local talents have this year come up with a new rule that restricts the participating clubs from roping in more than four non-indigenous players in the playing eleven. Interestingly, only one of the four semi-finalists from last year’s edition is participating in the tournament. Except for SSS Yellow, defending champions Dilong Youth Association, two-time champions Fusion SC and Shitilong SC are the three semi-finalists that are not participating this year. However, there are five debutant teams playing this year, namely Dominion FC, United Brothers FC and Mongsenbai Youngsters from Mokokchung town, Grand Elite’s from Alichen and Mongolian United from Longsa.Whichever team wins this year’s MDFA Trophy will be etching their name in the history books of football in Mokokchung.
