Warns registered players, coaches, referees against participation without state approval
KOHIMA, May 12 (MExN): The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) has issued a directive prohibiting participation in unauthorised and unregistered football and futsal tournaments in the state, aligning with the guidelines of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the upcoming 2025–26 season.
In a statement, the NFAconveyed the recommendations of the AIFF Executive Committee to all District Football Associations (DFAs), clubs, players, referees, and tournament organizers, emphasizing strict adherence to the new directives.
“No AIFF-registered player, coach, or referee should be permitted to participate in unauthorised tournaments that do not have permission from the state association and their affiliated district,” the NFA stated.
The association further noted that any violations flagged by state, district, club, or academy bodies to the AIFF and the NFA would prompt disciplinary action under the constitution and by-laws of the respective State Association.
To ensure better regulation, all Member Associations (MAs) have been advised to formulate and implement tournament registration policies. The NFA reiterated that private organizers or bodies wishing to conduct tournaments must obtain permission from the appropriate district or state association.
Such tournaments must meet the following conditions: only registered clubs and academies may participate; players must be registered with these entities; only licensed referees may officiate matches; and organizing bodies are required to ensure adequate security for all players and officials.
The NFA also reminded its member DFAs of earlier communications regarding private football tournaments, referencing its letter dated November 25, 2022 (No. NFA-P/DFAAIFF/2022), issued in line with AIFF’s directive dated November 2, 2022 (Ref. No. AIFF/Tournament/2022-799).
“These decisions are hereby communicated in view of the presence of many unauthorised and unregistered football tournaments across the state and in the best interest of protecting the interests of the Association and its member DFAs, clubs, footballers, officials and all stakeholders of the game concerned,” the NFA stated.
The association stressed that the measures aim to bring greater professionalism and systemic management to football activities in Nagaland, ensuring that tournaments are conducted under the regulatory framework of the sport’s national governing body.
