Kohima: Mokokchung is sprinting to finish the Rempo Lu Sports Complex in Ungma. The clock is ticking. The 25th Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Tournament starts in less than three weeks. Officials must cram months of construction into days. The facility had an original 2027 completion target.
Nagaland Football Association president K Neibou Sekhose and Youth Resources and Sports Director Kethosituo Sekhose toured the site Saturday. They met with the Mokokchung deputy commissioner, local police, and the District Football Association to review progress. The event runs from October 13 to 31, 2026.
Crews finished the turf and floodlights. The multipurpose hall is nearly done. Workers still need to address bathroom installations, galleries, the pavilion, and rooms for players and officials. About 60 people are currently working on-site to fast-track the remaining tasks. Kethosituo Sekhose told reporters, “We have just about 20-odd days left. In a fortnight, we expect that this will be usable.”
Some features will stay incomplete for the opening. The western gallery will not be finished, forcing organizers to find other ways to seat spectators. Parking also presents a massive hurdle. The venue only holds 100 cars. Officials expect to manage overflow parking along the highway with police assistance. This means a long walk for many fans.
Safety remains a top priority. Sekhose confirmed that third-party teams regularly inspect the foundations of the prefabricated buildings. The new lighting system meets FIFA Class 3 standards, allowing for night games. The event will host roughly 450 players and staff members from across the state. NFA Vice-President Meyisanger Lemtur remains optimistic about the district's ability to host the silver jubilee tournament, despite the unfinished state of the grounds.
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