PROMISES ASTRO TURFS IN ALL DISTRICTS
Nagaland’s premier football tournament- Nagaland Super League (NSL)- was kicked off by state chief minister Neiphiu Rio at the recently inaugurated Chümoukedima Football Stadium (CFS), Police Complex Tuesday evening.
The inaugural programme also witnessed launching of FIFA’s “Football for Schools” initiative with All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey handing over the first of 2,484 footballs to School Education department for distribution to schools across the state.
Speaking on the occasion as the special guest, chief minister Neiphiu Rio described the commencement of the NSL as “a milestone” reflecting the state’s growing commitment to sports development.
He highlighted state government’s efforts in completing six astro-turfs across six districts and assured that this will also cover the remaining districts within three years so as to provide equal opportunities for aspiring athletes.
The chief minister expressed the hope that Nagaland’s players would soon compete at the highest levels, including national and international platforms. He conveyed the optimism of AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s in the potential of youth from the Northeast, particularly in football.
On the significance of January 28 as the inauguration and commencement of the league, Rio said it was chosen to coincide with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Dr T. Ao, Nagaland’s sports icon who was the first captain of the Indian national football team that participated at the 1948 London Olympics, marking India’s first international match post-independence.
He encouraged the youth to embrace sports with dedication, adding: “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 organisers, including the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and Nagaland Football Association (NFA), for their collaboration with the state government and sponsors.
He also thanked Chaubey for his guidance and support, which enabled Nagaland to host the league. Rio also commended the contractors for completing the stadium ahead of schedule and hoped that the NSL would bring glory to the state, while extending his best wishes to the participating clubs.
Also delivering his address as the honored guest, Chaubey, who is also the joint secretary of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), lauded the state government’s support for football through the NSL. He said he had been traveling to different states to promote football, expressing joy to see Nagaland government supporting the game to start NSL.
On the Rs 1-crore prize money of the NSL, he mentioned that some states managed the entire league with the budget, and expressed hope that the league would boost football in Nagaland, especially at the grassroots level. He highlighted the transformative power of football in uniting the world, motivating youth, and changing lives.
Chaubey expressed confidence that the NSL would inspire Nagaland’s youth to achieve greater heights, with the potential to represent India in the future.
Delivering a short message as the honored guest, Youth Resources and Sports adviser Keoshu Yimkhiung described the NSL as a significant step toward a new era for sports in Nagaland.
He hoped that the NSL would not only showcase local talent, but also foster discipline, teamwork, and determination among athletes. He urged players to seize the opportunity and work hard to bring laurels to the state and compete at the international level.
NOA secretary general and AIFF executive member Abu Metha delivered an outline on the league.
He mentioned that each team must include 26 local players out of a 30-player roster, ensuring opportunities for local talent.
On the occasion, Rio presented a cheque of Rs 1.5 crore to Paralympian bronze medalist Hokato Hotozhe Sema, who in turn handed over his medal-winning jersey to the NOA.