Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the much-anticipated Football Stadium and launched the Nagaland Super League (NSL) at Police Complex, Chumoukedima on 28th January, 2025.
Speaking at the inauguration, Rio said that this event was hailed as a historic occasion for the state and its sporting community. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the organizing committee, the Nagaland Olympic Association, the Nagaland Football Association, sponsors, and the state government in bringing the league to fruition. He expressed his gratitude to Chaubey for his support and guidance in securing the necessary license for the league and his commitment to continue supporting and guiding the league's development towards the national level.
Rio emphasized the hard work and dedication that went into preparing for the league, commended the contractors for finishing the project ahead of schedule, enabling the first match of the league to be played at the new venue, and also noted that the Indira Gandhi (IG) Stadium in Kohima will be utilized for league matches. Beyond the immediate needs of the league, he announced significant investments in football infrastructure across the state. Informing that six astro turf fields have been completed in six districts, Rio reaffirmed that his government is committed to equipping all districts with similar facilities within the next two to three years. He added that, this initiative, aims to provide equal opportunities for players across Nagaland and nurture talent capable of competing at the Northeast, national, and international levels.
Rio mentioned that the date of the inauguration, January 28th, was chosen deliberately to coincide with the legacy of Dr. T. Ao, who captained independent India's football team at the 1948 London Olympics. He invoked Dr. Ao's achievement as a source of inspiration for the young generation of Naga footballers, and challenged the players to follow in Dr. Ao's footsteps, urging them to cultivate focus, discipline with determination, and dedication to achieve excellence and bring Nagaland further recognition in the world of football
Further, Rio stated that the Nagaland Super League is structured to provide a pathway for teams to progress to higher levels of competition. The champion team will qualify for the Northeast league, followed by a chance to compete in the all-India league. Rio expressed his hope that the league would produce players who would bring laurels to the state and make football dreams a reality in Nagaland. He concluded his address by encouraging sportsmanship and extending his best wishes to all the clubs, players, and fans.
President of All Indian Football Federation & Jt. Secretary Indian Olympic, Kalyan Chaubey Association, in his short address stated that traveling around the states to promote football and motive footballer, he is proud to see how the government of Nagaland is supporting in terms of their physical presence, logistics support and in terms of financial assistance to start NSL. The prize money of 1crore of the tournament, where some states manage their league with this budget but Nagaland being such a small state, the huge prize money will be given away to motivate the footballer.
He expressed happiness on how the number of players is represented from each and every district, where the number of players coming from the grassroot level. He hoped that this super league will bring change to many young players of Nagaland who can make their living, feed their families, make their state proud and later by identifying talent through the league and represent India. He wishes Nagaland the best for launching such a significant league which will definitely change the future of Nagaland in terms of sports and youth.
Secretary general NOA and vice president AFI, Abu Metha during his briefing on introduction of NSL, said that Nagaland marked the beginning of a transformative journey in sports development with the launch of the "Football for Schools" initiative under FIFA. In collaboration with the All-India Football Federation, the first football, out of over 2,000 set to be distributed across schools in 17 districts, and this initiative aims to cultivate a robust sports culture in Nagaland, promoting various disciplines and fostering grassroots football talent.
Abu Metha also emphasized the collective aspiration to promote club culture, strengthen game development foundations, and enhance the sports ecosystem. This moment signals the beginning of a new era in nurturing sports talent and infrastructure in the state. With immense talent and potential among its youth, Nagaland aims to emerge as a hub for athletic excellence, driven by determination and unity. This initiative is a stepping stone towards a brighter future for sports in the state.
Advisor, Youth Resources & Sports, Keoshu Yimkhiung speaking as an honoured guest said that this league is not just about competition; it’s about creating a platform for our youth to showcase their talent, inspire future generations, and put Nagaland on the national sports map. The league has already garnered significant attention with fans, players, and stakeholders eager to witness this new chapter in Nagaland's sports history. He highlighted the potential of sports to bridge cultural and regional divides while encouraging the youth to pursue excellence both on and off the field.
The much-awaited match commenced after a grand ceremony, setting the stage with great enthusiasm to make a strong statement in their opening match, where the Barack Football Club took on Nagaland United Sports Club in a clash that marked the beginning of a new era for football in Nagaland.
(Tovikali & Limatoshi,IA)
