Nagaland’s football has arrived, now it must be built right: Joel Williams

Joel Richard Williams, a familiar voice in Indian football commentary and a respected figure in the country’s footballing circles, has turned his attention to Nagaland in recent years. A former technical director, licensed coach, national-level scout and commentator, Williams has worked with top clubs, elite academies and national competitions across India. Yet, it is Nagaland’s growing football ecosystem that has captured his imagination and concern.
Often heard during the Dr. T. Ao Inter-District Football Championship, Williams has assumed the persona as football wizard among football fans vin the state. His energetic commentary, candid opinions and emotional connection with local football have set him apart. But beyond the commentary box, Williams has been closely observing the state’s footballing strengths, shortcomings and untapped potential.
“A lot of people in India still don’t know where Nagaland is. But football here has been growing steadily, and that growth is real,” he remarked during an interview in Dimapur, where he had arrived to commentate at the final of the Dr. T. Ao National Junior Girls Football Championship, Tier 2, held at Chümoukedima Football Stadium.
Reflecting on the progress Nagaland has made, Williams said the state has moved far beyond being a footballing afterthought. “Since I’ve been involved with football here, I’ve seen how much it has grown. Today, Nagaland is hosting junior tournaments, state-level competitions and even national-level events. That itself speaks volumes,” he observed.
According to him, the ability to host national tournaments is a significant milestone and a clear sign that Nagaland is earning the trust of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). “The fact that AIFF now sees Nagaland as capable of hosting national-level tournaments should be a matter of pride. It means the state is being noticed,” he added.
Williams also praised the revival of competitive football through the Nagaland Super League (NSL), describing it as a “breath of fresh air” that has arrived at the right time. However, he stressed that the Dr. T. Ao Inter-District Football Championship remains the soul of football in Nagaland. “What makes Dr. T. Ao special is that it’s district-based. District football brings identity, rivalry and pride. For many people here, Dr. T. Ao is the highlight of the football year,” he said.
While acknowledging the progress, Williams cautioned that passion alone cannot sustain football development. “One of the biggest issues in Indian football is the involvement of politics. Ideally, politics should stay away from sports. FIFA and the Olympic statutes are very clear about that,” he stated, drawing comparisons with the FA Cup in England where governance is kept professional.
He stressed that football must be treated as a professional industry. “Football is a business and it needs people with knowledge, vision and integrity. If there is no proper leadership, no proper guidance, then no matter how much infrastructure you build or how much talent you have, the system will fail,” he warned.
Williams acknowledged that infrastructure development has begun in Nagaland but insisted that it must continue to improve. “Players need places to play, places to train and places to practice. That is one of the most important foundations of football development,” he said, adding that infrastructure must go hand in hand with proper planning and usage.
Equally pressing, he noted, is the lack of qualified coaches in the state. While unsure of the exact number of licensed coaches in Nagaland, he stressed the need for more coaches with at least a D Licence. “Coaches play a decisive role in shaping players,” he asserted.
On the importance of football academies, Williams expressed his belief that grassroots development is the only sustainable solution. He revealed that he came to Nagaland with the purpose of opening academies in schools. “Football academies are long-term investments. The ideal age to begin football training is five years old. That’s the first age when children can start playing in a team. First, they need to fall in love with the game. Coaching techniques come later,” he explained.
He lamented that players who begin training late, at 19 or 20, cannot be taught the basics. “Either they are good enough to play professionally, or it’s time to find something else,” he said. He also expressed concern over the absence of a clear pathway for players in the state. “When there’s no structure, no future route, players get bored and give up. I want to help create a pathway so players know what comes next,” he added.
Asked how long it would take for a Naga player to feature in an Indian Super League (ISL) starting XI, Williams said it would take about ten years. He clarified that this timeline was for a player trained entirely in Nagaland. “I want a Naga player coached entirely in Nagaland and not someone who left at eight years old and made it elsewhere. That would be real pride,” he said.
He also raised concerns over tournament scheduling, noting that back-to-back matches affect both player performance and the quality of football. Looking ahead, Williams revealed that his involvement will go beyond commentary next year, as he plans to coach a team in the Dr. T. Ao tournament, though he did not disclose which team.
On AIFF’s decision to rename the National Junior Girls Football Championship after Dr. Talimeren Ao, Williams welcomed the move but expressed a personal view. “I’m happy that after nearly 75 years, AIFF has finally recognised the brilliance of Dr. T. Ao. But personally, I feel he deserved a bigger honour,” he said. He clarified that he had no objection to the junior girls’ championship bearing Dr. Ao’s name, but suggested that if AIFF wished to honour junior girls specifically, it could also have been named after a woman footballer.
Williams concluded by reiterating his belief in Nagaland’s footballing potential. With the right governance, infrastructure, qualified coaches and structured pathways, he said, Nagaland can become a football powerhouse for the country. “Nagaland’s football has arrived. Now it must be built right,” he emphasised.