26th NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy to be held from Nov 13

KOHIMA, SEP 15 (NPN): The 26th edition of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Martyrs Memorial Trophy will be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, from November 13 to December 3, with a total prize pool of Rs. 8.8 lakh.
The announcement was made by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) and the organising committee at a press conference held at the ASU office in Kohima on Tuesday.
One of Nagaland’s prominent football tournaments, the event will be organised with the support of the Nagaland Olympic Association and in collaboration with Hornbill Festival 2026. The 17-day tournament will start on November 14 and culminate in the grand finale on December 3, coinciding with the Hornbill Festival.
Convenor of the organising committee, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, said several changes had been introduced for the 26th edition following deliberations and a review of previous tournaments. He said teams from across Nagaland and the Northeast were expected to participate. However, given the limited 17-day schedule, participation would be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested teams have been urged to collect and submit their forms at the earliest.
As part of the new initiatives, the ASU and organising committee will introduce a tender system on a trial basis for managing the tournament. Interested parties may approach the ASU office for the tender covering tournament and ground management, as well as the operation of a hotel or restaurant at IG Stadium during the tournament period.
The tender amount has been fixed at Rs. 12 lakh, with the final discretion to award the tender resting with the ASU. Priority will initially be given to student bodies, followed by other organisations, churches, village youth groups and students.
The committee also announced 10 lucky draws, beginning from the quarter-finals through to the grand finale. The draws will be conducted through spectators’ entry tickets.
The organising committee has further invited firms, companies and agencies to partner with the tournament by advertising their products and services, particularly as the event will form part of Hornbill Festival 2026.
Games and Sports Secretary of the ASU, Seyielhuosa Keyho, said application forms would be available from September 28, with the last date for submission set for October 24. Fixtures will be drawn on November 2. The form fee has been fixed at Rs. 300, while the entry fee is Rs. 7,000. Forms will be available at Kiran Sports in Dimapur, G-Sports in Chümoukedima, Sports World and the ASU office in Kohima, Urban Concerns at High School Kohima, and Falcon Corner in Medziphema.
The champions will receive Rs. 3.5 lakh along with citations and medals, while the runners-up will receive Rs. 2 lakh. The two losing semi-finalists will receive Rs. 60,000 each, and the four-losing quarter-finalists will receive Rs. 30,000 each.
Individual awards of Rs. 10,000 each, along with citations, will be presented to the Best Custodian, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Golden Boot/Top Scorer, Fair Play Award and Most Promising Player Under-19.
The Player of the Tournament will receive Rs. 30,000 along with a citation, while a Player of the Match award will be presented for every match.
ASU to host cultural fiesta
The ASU also announced that it will organise a cultural fiesta for the first time on September 21 under the theme, “Together in Culture, Together in Harmony.”
The event will bring together subordinate tribal student bodies settled in Kohima. Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio is scheduled to attend as the chief guest. The president of the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation will deliver a solidarity message, the NSF president will offer greetings, while the president of the Angami Public Organisation will deliver an exhortation.
ASU president Dezevise Nakro said the cultural programme aims not only to promote Naga cultures but also to encourage unity among Nagas amid what he described as growing “ism, pride and ego” within the community.
Through the initiative, he said, the ASU seeks to reinforce the message that Nagas are one and should remain united.