The Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, has been conferred the SKOCH Silver Award for its Grassroots Football Festival (Baby League), in recognition of its efforts to promote grassroots sports development and encourage sporting participation among children in the State.
Launched in June 2024, the Grassroots Football Festival (Baby League) is an annual initiative aimed at introducing children to football at an early age and fostering a sporting culture at the grassroots level. The programme provides a platform for children aged 5 to 12 years to participate in organised football activities in a fun and inclusive environment.
The Baby League emphasises participation, enjoyment, learning and the overall development of children rather than conventional competition. It features age-appropriate, small-sided football matches across four age categories: 5–6 years, 7–8 years, 9–10 years and 11–12 years. The initiative also enables coaches to observe young players, identify emerging talent and encourage their continued participation in sports.
Since its inception, the programme has witnessed an increase in participation, from approximately 142 children in its earlier edition to around 420 children in the third edition held in 2026. The growing participation reflects the increasing interest in grassroots football among children and the sporting community in the State.
The initiative also received national recognition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Nagaland’s grassroots football efforts during his Mann Ki Baat address in June 2026, acknowledging the importance of encouraging sports participation among young children.
The SKOCH Award is a nationally recognised award that honours excellence in governance, innovation and public service delivery, particularly initiatives contributing to socio-economic development. The Silver Award marks a significant achievement for the Department and recognises its efforts to strengthen grassroots sports and expand opportunities for children to participate in organised sporting activities.
(Molungnenla, IA)