Abu Metha with NFA officials and others during the Annual General Body Meeting of NFA in Kohima on December 12. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 12
Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), emphasized the importance of elevating football to a professional level and fostering an ecosystem that strengthens the sport’s foundation.
Addressing the Annual General Body Meeting of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) at the NOA conference hall in Kohima, Metha highlighted that for sport to thrive in Nagaland, football must succeed. “If football is to rise, sport must rise in Nagaland,” he said, stressing the need for a club culture to build a robust sporting ecosystem.
India has become a significant hub in the global sports industry, and Metha noted that Nagaland’s youth must seize the opportunities this rising industry presents. “Our youth deserve to participate in this growing sports sector,” he said, referencing the upcoming Nagaland Super League (NSL), which he believes will generate hundreds of jobs.
“How do we design ourselves for the future? How do we compete with the rest?” Metha questioned, urging sports leaders to reimagine the narrative. “The decisions we make today will shape our future,” he added.
Metha expressed confidence that, with the launch of NSL, Nagaland could soon secure a spot in the top 5 of the national football scene. “We stand at the top 12 now, and we can easily achieve the top 5,” he said.
The Advisor also emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for the youth and fostering a collective effort to ensure Nagaland’s football and sports rise to greater heights.
Associations Call for Women’s Football Teams
Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland, highlighted ongoing developments in sports infrastructure, with nearly 50 prefabricated multidisciplinary stadiums being constructed across the state.
Sekhose stressed the importance of leveraging government support, particularly in infrastructure development. He underscored the need for professionalism in sports, stating, “For any sport to progress beyond recreation to become a viable career, professionalism is essential.”
With the active support of Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Advisor Abu Metha, the Nagaland Super League has been launched alongside NFA initiatives. “If we seize these opportunities, football will grow exponentially,” he said.
Sekhose urged district associations to develop women’s football teams. “Next year, we aim to see more women in football. We are here to support them every step of the way,” he added.
NFA’s Vision for 2025 and Beyond
NFA President K. Neibou Sekhose outlined a forward-looking roadmap for 2025, focusing on extensive grassroots development. Key initiatives include:
Village Mentors: Every village will have football mentors.
Training Programs: Block-level training for U-14 (Girls & Boys) by AFC “D” license holders, U-17 & U-19 district level training by AFC ‘C’ license holders, and U-21 & senior state-level training by AFC “A & B” license holders.
Ball Grant Scheme: Distribution of 24 footballs per school, totaling 1,632 balls for 68 schools across 17 districts.
Coach and Referee Development: Targets include AFC ‘D’ licensure for each village by 2047, producing at least 74 AFC ‘C’ license holders, and district-level AFC ‘B’ coaches by 2026. Plans also include producing at least 8 AFC ‘A’ license holders by 2026.
Infrastructure Development: Requests for completion of the Centre of Excellence at Dr. T. Ao Regional Football Academy in Chiimoukedima, and government-run football academies in Dimapur and Kohima.
On play fields, NFA envisions a playable field in every village (1,285 villages) and standard grounds in all 17 districts, with an international standard stadium being developed to host national and international tournaments.
Nagaland Super League
Sekhose discussed the NSL’s goal to enhance the football culture in Nagaland. The franchise fee stands at Rs. 5 lakh, with the champion set to earn Rs. 20 lakh. The league is seen as a platform to nurture talent, promote the sport, and offer career opportunities in football within the state.
The NSL, featuring eight franchises, is expected to cultivate a vibrant football scene in Nagaland over a span of one and a half months. Additionally, NFA’s calendar for 2025-2026 includes events such as the Nagaland Super League, U-17 tournaments, and the Dr. T. Ao Trophy, among others.
