Silver Jubilee Dr T Ao Trophy returns to Mokokchung after 24 years

Mokokchung, July 17: Nagaland’s premier inter-district football tournament, the Dr T Ao Trophy, will return to Mokokchung for its 25th (Silver Jubilee) edition this October, bringing the state’s biggest football competition back to the hometown of Indian football legend Dr Talimeren Ao.

The tournament, to be held over 10 days, will be played at the under-construction Rempukong (Renpo Lu) Astroturf in Ungma village, with officials saying the venue is nearing completion.

The decision to host the landmark edition in Mokokchung has been hailed as a fitting tribute to Dr Ao, who captained India’s football team at the 1948 London Olympics and is widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest football icons.

The Silver Jubilee edition marks a symbolic homecoming for the tournament, returning to the district where Dr Ao first developed his passion for the game. Organisers have called on participating teams to uphold the values of discipline, sportsmanship and excellence associated with his legacy.

Launched in 2002 and renamed the Dr T Ao Trophy in 2004, the tournament has evolved into Nagaland’s flagship football championship, bringing together teams from all 17 districts and serving as a key platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent.

Dr Ao’s legacy extends beyond football. Besides captaining India’s first Olympic football team, he represented Mohun Bagan before choosing a career in medicine. He later became Nagaland’s first Director of Health Services, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the field.

His contribution to Indian football continues to receive national recognition. In 2025, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) named the Junior Girls National Football Championship after him.

With preparations gathering pace and the new astroturf nearing completion, the Silver Jubilee edition is expected to be one of the biggest in the tournament’s history, celebrating both Nagaland’s footballing tradition and the enduring legacy of Dr T Ao.

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