NFA makes CRS/CMS approval mandatory from third group match in Dr. T. Ao Trophy

DIMAPUR, OCT 19 (NPN): The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) has made AIFF-approved player registration under the Centralised Registration System (CRS) and Competition Management System (CMS) mandatory from the third group match onwards at the ongoing Dr. T. Ao Trophy–25th Inter-District Football Championship 2026.
The decision was taken by the NFA Executive Body at its meeting held on October 18, following concerns raised by various District Football Associations (DFAs) over difficulties faced by players and teams in completing CRS/CMS registration formalities.
In a press statement, the NFA acknowledged the unforeseen and special circumstances arising from delays in approval of CRS registrations of players from various districts by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It also took into consideration its previous decision on the CRS/CMS issue.
The NFA stated that while teams and players were still facing difficulties adapting to the centralised registration and competition management systems, it remained committed to ensuring proper tournament management and player registration in line with the national model.
Accordingly, the association reiterated that CRS/CMS would continue to be implemented for the ongoing championship, as communicated earlier.
The NFA said teams with pending CRS/CMS cases had been granted a grace period until the conclusion of their respective second group matches. However, from the third group match onwards, only players whose registrations had been duly approved by the AIFF under CRS/CMS would be eligible to play.
Players whose registrations, renewals or transfers were awaiting final approval from the AIFF would not be permitted to take the field until their respective cases were approved.
The association further clarified that teams failing to meet the minimum requirement of duly registered players to start a match would be deemed disqualified.
The NFA also emphasised that the decision, necessitated by the special circumstances surrounding the registration process, did not grant participating teams any right to alter their final squad lists previously submitted. The eligibility of players would remain subject to the completion of CRS/CMS formalities, including the expiry of the grace period and any extensions thereof.
The remaining matches of the championship, beginning with the third round of league matches, will therefore be played only with eligible players who have completed their CRS registration and have been successfully added to the CMS. Players whose cases remain pending will be eligible only after receiving the AIFF’s final approval.
For the understanding of all stakeholders, the NFA clarified that the CRS and CMS are digital systems used by the AIFF to register and track football players and clubs, as well as manage tournaments across the country.
The association stated that these systems were being adopted in Nagaland for all major tournaments conducted under the NFA, as part of efforts to align state-level football administration with the national framework.