Nagaland is set to host the Dr. Talimeren Ao Junior National Girls Football Championship 2025 (Tier 2), beginning November 22 at Chümoukedima Football Stadium. The Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), announced preparations during a press conference in Kohima. Commissioner and Secretary Anthony Ngullie said the event, renamed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in honour of Dr. T. Ao, India’s first Olympic football captain in 1948, would be a tribute to the legendary sportsperson.
DYRS Director Kethosituo Sekhose confirmed that 13 teams will participate, divided into four groups. Group A includes Uttar Pradesh and Tripura; Group B features Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Punjab and Nagaland; Group C has Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh; while Group D comprises Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram and Madhya Pradesh. Originally, Group A had four teams, but Meghalaya withdrew due to National Games preparations and Pondicherry faced travel difficulties. The tournament will follow a league format with daily matches, leading to semifinals and a final scheduled for December 11 at the Chümoukedima Police Complex football stadium. Around 312 players and officials, including referees and match commissioners, are expected. AIFF officials have inspected the venue, with minor corrections carried out. Nagaland currently has 184 referees, though only one—Mechievilie Yashü—is a qualified national referee. The state has sought AIFF’s support to strengthen its refereeing cadre.
To ensure smooth organisation, the state government has formed 17 committees, including a Steering Committee headed by the Chief Minister. Sekhose appealed to the public to support all teams, stressing the importance of women’s sports in India’s Olympic and Commonwealth aspirations. Entry to the opening ceremony will be free, while ticketing for later matches will be decided after consultations with AIFF.
NFA president K. Neibou Sekhose highlighted Dr. T. Ao’s career, from his early days at Maharana Club, Guwahati, to Mohun Bagan, where he played from 1943 to 1951 and captained the Santosh Trophy-winning team in 1945. He recalled Ao’s leadership at the 1948 London Olympics and his later roles in national sports bodies. Ao also served as the first president of the NFA from 1972 to 1988. Nagaland has opted to compete in Tier 2 despite hosting privileges, donating the running trophy for the rechristened championship. The inaugural ceremony match between Uttarakhand and Nagaland will be attended by the Chief Minister as special guest.
Nagaland team Jersey for Dr. T. Ao National Football Championship launched
With just few days left for the commencement of the Dr. T. Ao National Junior Girls Football Championship on November 22, the official jerseys for the state team were unveiled on Tuesday by Nagaland State Commission for Women Chairperson, W. Nginyeih Konyak, at Chümoukedima Football Stadium.
Addressing the players during the launch, Konyak shared her own love for football, recalling how she used to play the sport, however adding during her time, women in sports were not given the opportunity as they are given now.
“In my time, women in sports were not given the kind of opportunity that exists today. We lacked support from society” she said.
She thereby urged players to take opportunity of the change in tide, adding that they are fortunate that women now have more opportunity and that’s women’s impact in sport has improved drastically.
She further encouraged the young athletes to remember that they hold equal rights and should continue pursuing their profession without fear.
Dwelling on the importance of sports, she asserted that of all careers, sport is one that teaches us discipline, unity, care and peace.
She later expressed hope that the players would represent the state nationally and internationally in the future.
Konyak also thanked chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and Nagaland Football Association (NFA) for hosting the tournament in Nagaland.
It may be noted that the tournament was earlier named, “Sub-Junior Girls National Championship”, but now has been renamed to “Dr. T. Ao National Junior Girls Football Championship”, to honour Dr. Talimeren Ao, after intervention of chief minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio.
The championship is set to take place at Chümoukedima Football Stadium, from November 22, and culminate on December 11, with 13 states, namely, Andaman & Nicobar, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Assam, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Jammu Kashmir and Nagaland.
Meanwhile, head coach of the team, Roko Angami, shared his confidence in the team’s preparation. “As hosts, there’s no pressure, only confidence. The girls are giving their best” he said.
He added that this is the first time the state would be fielding a Junior Girls team for the national tournament.
Asked on the number of players in the team and the selection process undertaken, he informed that the state team comprises of 20 players, aged between 14 and 15, and selected from across the state through a two-phase selection process.
Asked on the fate of girls on their final exams, Angami replied that some players had to skip trials due to school exams.
He however added that NFA and Department of Youth Resources and Sports had written to education authorities requesting consideration for the student-athletes.
He noted that it was rare to find girls coming forward to represent the state, calling the girls, “brave”, and further appealed the education department to support them, noting that the team has been training intensively for the past month.
Furthermore, speaking to one of the midfielders, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing the platform as a gateway to future prospects.
“This is my first time representing the state. I’m thankful to the government and hope this inspires more girls to follow” she added.
Also speaking with another player, who plays as a striker, she shared her excitement, and expressed her aim to score “20 to 30 goals”. Asked on whether her parents are supportive of her playing in the tournament, she replied that her parents have always supported her, and also expressed hope to make football her career.