ZDFA officials at Kawoto Futsal on June 7. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | June 7
The Blue Cup League, hosted by the Zunheboto District Football Association (ZDFA), was officially launched on June 7, marking the beginning of an exciting grassroots football initiative in the district. Organized at Kawoto Futsal.
Speaking during one of the match-days, Inoka Yepthomi, President of ZDFA, reiterated the association’s commitment to promoting football among schoolchildren and building a foundation for future talent.
“We are thankful to have been given this opportunity to launch the Blue Cup League under the ZDFA banner,” he said. “This league is a platform for young players to grow, learn, and compete in a structured environment.”
Six schools are participating in the league’s first edition including Bethany School, Cornerstone Higher Secondary School, Olympic Higher Secondary School, Sacred Heart School, Sunbeam School, and Woodland Higher Secondary School.
While the league draws inspiration from the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) grassroots development program, Inoka acknowledged that not all protocols could be implemented this year.
“Since it’s our first edition, we’re doing our best to follow AIFF’s model, even though we couldn’t fully adopt all procedures. By the next edition, we hope to include more schools and conduct the league more comprehensively,” he added.
Held every Saturday at Kawoto Futsal, the matches allow students to participate without interfering with their studies.
“Our aim is to let children enjoy football while also focusing on education. Saturdays work best for them, and it keeps the league accessible and consistent,” Inoka said.
He also thanked the parents for their active support:
“They’ve been very cooperative in ensuring the children are well-prepared. It’s heartening to see both parents and children enjoying the matches together. That’s the kind of encouragement we need to keep going.”
The league currently runs without any external sponsorship, relying solely on the efforts of ZDFA in collaboration with the Sacred Heart School.
“Despite the lack of sponsors, we’re determined to make this a success. Hopefully, with more visibility and support, we can scale it up in the future,” he stated.
Kiyeka Sumi, Senior Vice President of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and member of the AIFF, lauded the initiative during his visit to the venue.”This is the way forward if we want to catch up with the rest of the world. Football is not just a game; it teaches discipline, hard work, and teamwork. It even motivates children to excel in academics,” he said. “Initiatives like this are essential if we want our state to realize its full potential in sports.”
