Zhothisa Dawhuo along with officials of YRS and players of Kohima Red Tigresses and Pink Panthers Kohima during opening ceremony of the 2nd Nagaland Women Futsal League 2026 held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on May 11. (Morung Photo)
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Red Tigresses defeat Pink Panthers 4-1 in the opening match
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 11
The three-day 2nd Nagaland Women Futsal League 2026, organised under the aegis of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association, commenced at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on May 11.
In the inaugural match, Kohima Red Tigresses defeated Pink Panthers Kohima 4-1. Mhalo, Khrothsou, Luvekulu and Zemloi scored a goal each for Kohima Red Tigresses, while Shenyu netted the lone goal for Pink Panthers Kohima.
Support, invest and celebrate female athletes
Addressing the opening ceremony as special guest, Zhothisa Dawhuo, Secretary of the Women Resource Development Department, stressed the need to support, invest in and celebrate female athletes.
Stating that sports had long been regarded as a “man’s world”, he said the narrative was gradually changing, though the fight for equal representation continued.
Dawhuo said sports foster resilience, teamwork and leadership among girls and women and help break harmful stereotypes.
“Every time a sportswoman breaks this barrier, she shows other young girls that they too can be equally skilled, confident and powerful,” he said.
He said female athletes serve as role models and help normalise female leadership, while calling for equal access to training opportunities and resources for women athletes.
Promoting women in sports, he added, was an important step towards gender equality and ensuring equal opportunities for girls.
Futsal is the school of Football
K Neibou Sekhose, president of the Nagaland Football Association, said the tournament marked an important step for the future of women’s football in Nagaland.
Recalling the history of women’s football, he said the first women’s football match took place in Edinburgh in 1881, while the Women’s Football Federation of India was formed in 1975 before being absorbed into the All India Football Federation in 1990.
Sekhose said Nagaland launched the women’s futsal league two years ago with the aim of providing girls a dedicated platform to compete and develop their skills.
“With teams from across Nagaland, licensed coaches and certified referees, including women referees, our dream is slowly being fulfilled,” he said.
Describing futsal as the “school of football”, he said the game develops quick decision-making, discipline and technical skills that could help players progress to higher levels, including the national team.
He urged parents to encourage their daughters to participate in football and training programmes.
According to the organisers, the champion team will receive a cash prize of Rs 60,000, while the runners-up will get Rs 50,000. The third and fourth placed teams will receive Rs 40,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.
Individual awards carrying Rs 5,000 each will be presented to the Player of the Tournament, Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer, while the Best Disciplined Team will receive Rs 10,000.
Earlier, the opening ceremony was chaired by Temjensangla, Joint Secretary of the Youth Resources and Sports Department. Vikhoto Zao, Pastor PCRC, invoked blessings, while Neilaii Thapru presented a special number.
The tournament will continue till May 13.
Matches scheduled for May 12
SC Nagaland versus Kohima Red Tigresses (9 AM), Football Plus Jalukie versus United Girls Kohima (10 AM), Pink Panthers versus Puiteing FC Jalukie (11 AM), SFS Football Academy Medziphema versus Brave Cubs Kohima (12:00), Kohima Red Tigresses versus Puiteing FC (4 PM), United Girls Kohima versus Brave Cubs (5 PM), Pink Panthers versus SC Nagaland (6 PM) and SFS Football Academy versus Football Plus (7 PM)
