Mon lifted the 24th Dr. T Ao Inter-District Football Championship title on Friday, edging Niuland in a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw through normal time and extra time at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.

The final capped a two-week tournament and delivered a first-ever title showdown between Mon and Niuland, a match-up set earlier this week by organisers and pre-match coverage.

With neither side able to force a winner even after the extra time, Mon held their nerve from the spot to seal the trophy in a fitting conclusion to a fiercely contested championship. The spectacle drew a record crowd, described by organisers and attendees as among the highest-ever spectator turnouts in Nagaland’s sporting history.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio attended the final and announced an on-the-spot prize money enhancement, raising the winners’ purse from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh and the runners-up prize from ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh.

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Beyond the football, the closing ceremony featured vibrant performances, highlighted by standout sets from Kivika Achumi and Hentok Konyak, who energised the stadium with “She Lomi” and “Kenlak Nang O Üte.”

The triumph completed a redemptive run for Mon after a strong campaign that included a convincing semi-final win and a resilient finish under pressure in the title match. Niuland, making their first final appearance, matched Mon across a tense encounter and will draw belief from a breakthrough tournament that rallied their supporters.

The 2025 edition ended in celebration as Mon lifted the coveted trophy under floodlights, closing a memorable night for Nagaland football.