31st Lt. Nyamo Lotha & Lt. Daniel Lotha Trophy begins

DIMAPUR, OCT 29 (NPN): The 31st Lt. Nyamo Lotha and Lt. Daniel Lotha Running Football Trophy 2026, organised by the Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union (DLSU), commenced at the Dimapur State Stadium Multi-Disciplinary Complex on Thursday.
The tournament, being held from October 29 to November 5 under the theme “Inspiring the Future, Remembering the Past,” features 11 teams competing for the coveted trophy. Treasurer of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Dr. John Murry attended the opening ceremony as the special guest.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Murry paid tribute to the late Nyamo Lotha and the late Daniel Lotha, whose contributions are commemorated through the annual tournament. Recalling the contributions of early Lotha officers, professionals and community leaders from the late 1960s through the 1980s and early 1990s, he highlighted their role in the civic, educational and infrastructural development of Dimapur.
He also recalled how community leaders supported deserving students, including those pursuing medical education, through sponsorships, collective contributions and mentorship.
Expressing concern over educated unemployment, Dr. Murry urged the younger generation to look beyond government jobs and competitive examinations, including the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) examinations. He encouraged youth to explore entrepreneurship, commerce, trade, supply, hardware and private-sector enterprises, stressing the need to overcome hesitation and make use of available economic opportunities.
Calling for unity within the Lotha community, he cautioned against divisions based on upper, middle and lower ranges, regionalism and factionalism. He stressed the need to revitalise and restructure student and frontal organisations, including the DLSU, Lotha Hoho and youth bodies, to ensure that leadership remained focused on public welfare, integrity and community development.
Emphasising the importance of sports, Dr. Murry said the annual tournament should serve as more than a routine event, functioning instead as a platform to instil discipline, promote sporting excellence, foster brotherhood and identify talented players. He encouraged the youth to uphold resilience, self-reliance, hard work and moral integrity to strengthen the community’s role in Nagaland’s socio-economic development.
The opening ceremony featured flag hoisting, followed by the LSH anthem and an invocation prayer by Associate pastor of LBCD Benlanthung Yanthan. DLSU president Mhonbemo M. Kikon delivered the welcome address, while the DLSU Choir presented a folk song and the DLSU Cultural Troupe performed a folk dance.
Representatives of the families of the late Nyamo Lotha and the late Daniel Lotha, Dimapur Lotha Hoho, the Lotha Students’ Union and the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union also addressed the gathering. A special prayer for the players was offered by home evangelist of LBCD RP Murry.
The programme was chaired by Zaremo M. Kithan, with a special number presented by Julia L. Patton. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by sports secretary of DLSU Elonbemo Y. Kikon.
The ceremony concluded with the kickoff of the tournament, as Young Arrival took on Burma Camp FC in the opening match.
In the opening match, Burma Camp FC defeated Young Arrivals 5–1, with Renchamo scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to victory. Burma Camp dominated the match with five goals, while Young Arrivals managed a solitary goal.