NFA VP Kiyeka S Sumi (centre) with CDFA officials at the press conference announcing the 3rd Nagaland State Futsal Championship.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 16
The 3rd Nagaland State Futsal Championship organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) will kick off on October 17. The tournament will be hosted by the Chümoukedima District Football Association (CDFA) from October 17-20 at JJ Arena in Chümoukedima.
The NFA made the announcement at a press conference jointly addressed with the CDFA on October 16, where groups were drawn. NFA Vice President, Kiyeka S Sumi informed that the tournament was intended to accommodate a team each from all the 16 districts but three districts could front teams. “So, the (vacant) slots were given to Dimapur, Kohima and Chümoukedima. As a result the three districts will be fielding two teams each,” he said.
The teams are slotted in 4 groups of 4 teams each.
According to him, the tournament or futsal suits the Nagas and importantly, it could serve as “a ticket to the national futsal championship and if they perform well they can get into the national Futsal team.”
He said that Nagaland has the footballing talent and has huge potential but something has been amiss. The NFA alongwith the district units are working to fill the gaps, groom and refine the available talents, he added.
Imlisunup Ao, VP, CDFA said that the CDFA, as “infant association,” was privileged to be hosting the state futsal championship. The CDFA was formed in 2022.
The tournament carries a total cash prize of Rs 2 lakh— Rs 1.5 lakh for the champion and Rs 50,000 for the runner-up.
The Sumi added that the CDFA is bearing all the expenses, except the cash prize, for the tournament.
State League
The NFA Vice President further informed that a programme to start a state football league is on the works. He said that the “Drafting Committee” set up for the proposed state league has already submitted its report to the state government.
While stating that the new NFA administration is trying to streamline its tasks, he said that it is trying to fall in line and keep pace with the All India Football Federation tournaments, besides giving impetus to women’s football.
Pending the establishment of a state league, he said that the immediate focus, besides futsal, is on the Santosh Trophy and organising a tournament that would serve as a base for the winner to go to the national championships. “But cannot say anything as of now,” he said.
Another tournament, the annual Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Championship Trophy is scheduled for February 2023 to be hosted by the Tuensang District Football Association.
Subrota debacle
Asked on the recent debacle, in which the Nagaland under-14 team was disqualified from the Subroto Cup 2023 for fielding overage players more than the prescribed limit, he declined to comment. He said that the Subroto Cup was not within it purview.
