Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUN 27 (NPN): The Chümoukedima District Football Association (CDFA) has announced that the Second District Football League-cum-Late Rokonicha Champions Trophy will be held from July 25 to August 15 at the Chümoukedima Football Stadium under the theme “One Chümoukedima.”
The announcement was made during a press conference on Saturday, where CDFA officials said the tournament marks the return of the district’s premier football competition after the successful inaugural edition held in 2022.
This year’s tournament has been dedicated to Late Rokonicha, a six-time Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and a prominent leader of the erstwhile Dimapur district. The association expressed gratitude to the late leader’s family for sponsoring this edition and committing support for the next three editions of the competition.
Eight teams will compete in a single-leg league format, with the top four sides qualifying for the knockout stage of the Late Rokonicha Champions Trophy. According to the association, the tournament aims to strengthen grassroots football and provide a platform for nurturing local talent across the district.
CDFA informed that only players registered with the association will be eligible to participate, while guest players will not be allowed. To promote youth development, every participating club must field at least two Under-20 players during each match. The association has also made it mandatory for clubs to appoint coaches holding a minimum AIFF D-Licence qualification.
Cash prizes have been announced for both the league and the Champions Trophy. Winners of each competition will receive Rs. 70,000, while the runners-up will be awarded Rs. 40,000 along with trophies and citations. The losing semi-finalists of the Champions Trophy will receive Rs. 20,000 each, sponsored by the CDFA.
Individual honours will also be presented, including the Player of the Tournament, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove and Emerging Player of the Tournament awards.
The 20-day football festival will be supported by ten village councils serving as tournament patrons. These include Tsiepama Village Council, Piphema Khenu Kruta Krotho (PKKK), Medziphema Village Council, Ruzaphema Village Council, Seithekema Old Village Council, Seithekema A Village Council, Seithekema C Village Council, Chümoukedima Village Council, Tenyiphe-I Village Council and Sovima Village Council.
G-Sports Nagaland has been named the official partner, while Nagaland Post and FNN will serve as media partners along with several other event partners.
Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, Keoshu Yimchunger, is expected to attend the inaugural programme as the special guest.
CDFA officials said club registration has already begun and will remain open until July 18. Registration forms are available through the association’s official email, at G-Sports Chümoukedima and at Boots and Kids Store in Medziphema town. Preference will be given to clubs that participated in the inaugural edition, while qualifying matches may be conducted if applications exceed the eight available slots.
The association further informed that matches are expected to be played in the evening under floodlights, with spectators gaining entry through a ticketing system. Ticket prices are likely to be kept affordable at around Rs. 20, subject to final confirmation.