THOSE WHO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN: Organizers of the XVII MDFA Trophy along with Mokokchung District Football Association officials at a thanksgiving picnic in the outskirt of the town on Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Morung Photos)
Mokokchung | November 10 : Starting off in the year 1992 with a prize-money just of Rs 25,000 for the winning team, the MDFA (Mokokchung District Football Association) Trophy has come a long way both in the standard of the game and also the prize money involved. This year’s edition the XVII MDFA Trophy carried a cash award of Rs 100,000 for the winner and the Rs 60,000 for the Runner-up, besides Rs 15,000 each to the other semi-finalist. The Trophy remains the sole platform where local football talents, coming even from the villages to play some standard game in a stadium, and the trophy had indeed groomed some of the finest local footballers in the district who have made a mark even in the state level.
Looking back at the MDFA Trophy, one can see a chequered history of ups and down, and yet the will to let the game play on. The MDFA Trophy remains the most prestigious local football matches in the districts and different teams have played in this tournament during the last nearly two decades.
However, fortunately for the football lovers of Mokokchung, the MDFA has remained steadfast in their endeavour to promote football in the district and today with the successful hosting of the just concluded XVII MDFA Trophy, the Association looks forward with much vigour and determination to carry forward its task of promoting football and footballers in the district.
Perhaps, this XVII MDFA Trophy might as well be one of the most successful football tournaments in the district so far. What marks out in this tournament could be the team discipline and sportsmanship of the participating teams. Besides, the crowd turnout was overwhelming as compared to previous years, according to one official associated with the Trophy. On the final day, the stadium was packed with supporters to full capacity, and those who could not find a seat at the rostrum, sat on the periphery and watched the show.
But it was the discipline of the audience on the final match day that amazed all. Except for the thunderous shouts and cheering, there were not brawls among the supporters; the supporters of the winning team cheered and the losing team supporters simply went back home, dejected but somehow satisfied that their team displayed a nice play of football. During previous years, rowdy supporters of opposing team would engage in fights causing much security concerns, and discouraging the real football lovers of the town. Things are improving, as of now, especially with regard to disciplined supporters.
The present MDFA president Moasangba Jamir disclosed that the chief guest at the XVII MDFA Trophy Nagaland DGP K Kire was also so satisfied with the final match that he commented that the standard of football being played in the tournament was at par with the national level. The DGP, during his speech, promised that those promising players would be pooled into the Nagaland police so that they can play for the Nagaland police team.
With football getting much importance in the state, and the Nagaland Football League (NFL) set to kick start from next year, who knows the standard of football in Mokokchung might also go from better to better and open up better avenues for the sportsmen in the district and also the state.
There were times when the Association could not hold the tournament due to financial crunch at the initial stages; but with the establishment of at Trust Fund, the tournament had been held smoothly so far. With each passing year, the team participation has increased and the sportsmanship and play had improved tremendously, and somehow watching the MDFA Trophy is not only about cheering but also a time to enjoy some fine local football match. Things have moved forward.
For now bigger challenge awaits the MDFA in is endeavour to promote football in the district in particular and also the state in general, and if public support remains the same, and the MDFA officials show the same zeal and determination, then perhaps, things surely would go a long way in the field of football, one day.
Looking back at the MDFA Trophy, one can see a chequered history of ups and down, and yet the will to let the game play on. The MDFA Trophy remains the most prestigious local football matches in the districts and different teams have played in this tournament during the last nearly two decades.
However, fortunately for the football lovers of Mokokchung, the MDFA has remained steadfast in their endeavour to promote football in the district and today with the successful hosting of the just concluded XVII MDFA Trophy, the Association looks forward with much vigour and determination to carry forward its task of promoting football and footballers in the district.
Perhaps, this XVII MDFA Trophy might as well be one of the most successful football tournaments in the district so far. What marks out in this tournament could be the team discipline and sportsmanship of the participating teams. Besides, the crowd turnout was overwhelming as compared to previous years, according to one official associated with the Trophy. On the final day, the stadium was packed with supporters to full capacity, and those who could not find a seat at the rostrum, sat on the periphery and watched the show.
But it was the discipline of the audience on the final match day that amazed all. Except for the thunderous shouts and cheering, there were not brawls among the supporters; the supporters of the winning team cheered and the losing team supporters simply went back home, dejected but somehow satisfied that their team displayed a nice play of football. During previous years, rowdy supporters of opposing team would engage in fights causing much security concerns, and discouraging the real football lovers of the town. Things are improving, as of now, especially with regard to disciplined supporters.
The present MDFA president Moasangba Jamir disclosed that the chief guest at the XVII MDFA Trophy Nagaland DGP K Kire was also so satisfied with the final match that he commented that the standard of football being played in the tournament was at par with the national level. The DGP, during his speech, promised that those promising players would be pooled into the Nagaland police so that they can play for the Nagaland police team.
With football getting much importance in the state, and the Nagaland Football League (NFL) set to kick start from next year, who knows the standard of football in Mokokchung might also go from better to better and open up better avenues for the sportsmen in the district and also the state.
There were times when the Association could not hold the tournament due to financial crunch at the initial stages; but with the establishment of at Trust Fund, the tournament had been held smoothly so far. With each passing year, the team participation has increased and the sportsmanship and play had improved tremendously, and somehow watching the MDFA Trophy is not only about cheering but also a time to enjoy some fine local football match. Things have moved forward.
For now bigger challenge awaits the MDFA in is endeavour to promote football in the district in particular and also the state in general, and if public support remains the same, and the MDFA officials show the same zeal and determination, then perhaps, things surely would go a long way in the field of football, one day.
Morung Express Feature
