KOHIMA: Nagaland's long-awaited football tournament, the Nagaland Super League (NSL), was launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday evening at the new Chümoukedima Football Stadium (CFS), Police Complex. This event was an important step in the state's support for sports.
The inauguration also saw the launch of FIFA’s “Football for Schools” initiative. All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey handed over the first of 2,484 footballs to the state’s School Education department for distribution to schools across Nagaland.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the start of the NSL shows Nagaland's growing focus on sports. He also mentioned that the state government has built six astro-turfs in six districts and plans to build more in other districts within three years to give all athletes a fair chance.
Rio expressed hope that Nagaland’s players would soon compete at national and international levels. He also referenced the optimism of AIFF President Chaubey, who recognized the untapped potential of Northeast youth, particularly in football.
Rio further explained that the inauguration of the NSL on January 28 coincided with the birth anniversary of Dr. T. Ao, Nagaland’s sports icon and India’s first national football team captain at the 1948 London Olympics. He urged youth to take inspiration from Dr. Ao's achievements, saying, “When a Naga can captain the Indian team and go to the Olympic Games, why not the younger generation of today?”
The Chief Minister congratulated the organizers, including the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), for their collaboration in making the NSL possible. He thanked Chaubey for helping Nagaland host the league and praised the contractors for finishing the stadium early. Rio wished the best for the teams and hoped the NSL would bring pride to the state.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, in his address, praised the Nagaland government’s strong support for football and the NSL initiative. He was happy about the state’s support for football and praised the Rs 1-crore prize for the NSL. Chaubey hoped the league would help grow football in Nagaland and inspire young people to play.
Youth Resources and Sports Adviser Keoshu Yimkhiung also spoke at the event, calling the NSL a significant step toward a new era for sports in Nagaland. He encouraged players to use the league as an opportunity to showcase their talent, foster teamwork and discipline, and aim for international success.
NOA Secretary General and AIFF Executive Member Abu Metha provided an overview of the league, emphasizing that each team must include 26 local players out of a 30-player roster to ensure opportunities for local talent.