The Zeliangrong people, indigenous to the Northeast Indian states of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, are set to commemorate the enduring legacy of their revered spiritual and political leader, Haipou Jadonang, through the 14th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament 2025.¹ This annual event, organized by the Zeliangrong Football Association (ZFA), transcends mere sport, serving as a powerful symbol of unity, cultural pride, and collective remembrance for the Zeliangrong community spread across these three states.²
The tournament is slated to kick off on October 11, 2025. This year, the grand opening ceremony and initial matches, along with the conclusive closing ceremony and final game, will be held at the prominent Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal East. This choice of venue underscores the significance and scale of the event for the Zeliangrong community. The subsequent league and knock-out rounds will utilize the SAI Football Grass Ground and Turf Ground, NERC Takyel, also in Imphal, ensuring high-quality playing surfaces for the participating teams.³
In a testament to the growing stature of the tournament, substantial cash prizes have been announced for the winning teams. The champions of this year's edition will be awarded an impressive INR 2 lakh, accompanied by a prestigious trophy. The runners-up team will also receive a significant INR 1 lakh and a trophy, incentivizing fierce but fair competition. Beyond the top two teams, the tournament recognizes excellence in other aspects of play and conduct, with awards for the "Best Disciplined Team" and "Best Parade Team" for group participants. Individual accolades will include "Best Player," "Best Keeper," and "Top Scorer," each accompanied by a cash prize of INR 20,000 and INR 10,000 respectively, along with a trophy.⁴
The invitation to participate extends to every Zeliangrong village youth club across Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, fostering a sense of pan-Zeliangrong unity and healthy competition. Each eligible club is entitled to sponsor not more than one team for the prestigious tournament, ensuring broad representation from the community.⁵
Administrative details for participation have also been released. Entry forms will be made available from August 18 to September 20, 2025, on all working days, excluding Sundays. The deadline for the submission of these completed entry forms is September 27, 2025. Interested Zeliangrong village youth clubs can collect their entry forms from the ZFA's head office located at Kakhulong, Paona Bazar, Imphal, during specified office hours between 11 AM and 4 PM. A nominal entry form fee of INR 1,000 has been set, with a registration fee of INR 5,000 for this year's tournament, covering organizational costs and prize money.⁶
This annual football event not only showcases the athletic talent within the Zeliangrong community but also serves as a crucial platform for cultural exchange and reinforcement of shared identity among the youth from different geographical regions. By commemorating Haipou Jadonang, the tournament perpetuates the memory of a leader who fought for Zeliangrong self-determination and cultural preservation, solidifying his place in the collective consciousness of his people.⁷
Sources:
¹ The tournament's name directly honors Haipou Jadonang, a key figure in Zeliangrong history and religion. See: Arkotong Longkumer, Reform, Identity and Narratives of Belonging: The Heraka Movement in Northeast India (Bloomsbury Academic, 2010), 50-55. ² The Zeliangrong Football Association (ZFA) organizes this event to promote unity and cultural pride within the community across different states. See: EMN, "14th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament to kick off on October 11," The Sangai Express, Chronicle News Service via e-pao.net, published July 29, 2025. ³ Specific details regarding the start date (October 11) and the venues (Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, SAI Football Grass Ground and Turf Ground) are from the provided news release. See: EMN, "14th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament." ⁴ Information on the cash prizes (INR 2 lakh for winners, INR 1 lakh for runners-up) and various individual/group awards are clearly outlined in the tournament's announcement. See: EMN, "14th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament." ⁵ The invitation criteria for Zeliangrong village youth clubs from Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, along with the "not more than one team" rule, are part of the participation guidelines. See: EMN, "14th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament." ⁶ Details on the entry form issuance and submission dates (August 18 to September 20, closes September 27), collection location (Kakhulong, Paona Bazar, Imphal), office hours, and fees (INR 1,000 entry form, INR 5,000 registration) are practical information for participants. See: EMN, "14th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament." ⁷ The broader significance of the tournament for cultural exchange, youth engagement, and perpetuating Jadonang's legacy is an interpretation of the event's underlying purpose. See: General analyses of sports tournaments in indigenous communities for cultural preservation.