Menla Ethenpa and others with players of Sechü Zubza FC and Red Scars FC in Kohima on January 29. (Morung Photo)
Sechü Zubza FC defeat Red Scars FC 2-0
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 29
All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive member Menla Ethenpa today assured that the AIFF will support every effort of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) to promote football in the state. He made this statement while attending the first match of the Nagaland Super League (NSL) Kohima leg as the special guest at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Ethenpa also urged the NFA to conduct more coaching and referee clinics and place greater emphasis on grassroots football development. He expressed his delight over the rapid growth of Indian football and stated, “Our aim is to take Indian football to greater heights and aim for a FIFA World Cup qualification.”
Ethenpa, who is also the president of the Sikkim Football Association, expressed happiness over the introduction of the NSL and hoped that, with the support of the state government and all football stakeholders in Nagaland, the NSL would continue to thrive.
Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. T Ao, the first captain of the Indian national football team after India gained independence and who captained the team in the 1948 Summer Olympics, Ethenpa said, “We must revive his legacy, and it is the responsibility of all of us, especially the youth, to carry forward the legacy that Dr. T Ao has left behind.”
He further announced that the AIFF had decided to honor Dr. T Ao by naming one of the national football tournaments for women in his memory. Ethenpa revealed that Nagaland will host the Dr. T Ao Memorial National Football Championship for Girls, possibly in April. This tournament will be held in Nagaland for the next three years, and from the fourth year onwards, it will be organized in other parts of the country.
In his welcome address, Nagaland’s Youth Resources & Sports Director, Kethosituo Sekhose, emphasized the state government’s commitment to promoting sports, youth activities, and the overall economy. He also pointed out that the total prize money for NSL 2025 amounts to Rs. 1 crore, noting that despite Nagaland being a resource-constrained state, the government had taken a bold step to support the league.
Sekhose said, “Through this league, we aim to promote athletes, not just in football but across other sports as well. This will bring professionalism to sports, and help stabilize the organization of leagues and tournaments.”
Earlier, Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) President Mhasimhalie Mathew Yhome felicitated Ethenpa, while NFA President K. Neibou Sekhose honored Helievi-o Solo, the Chairman of Kohima Village Council. Medolenuo Ambrocia, Press Secretary of KDFA, compered the first match in Kohima, and Rev. James C. Neikhrienyu, Senior Pastor of the Baptist Mission Church Kohima, invoked God’s blessings.
In the opening match of the NSL Kohima leg, Sechü Zubza FC defeated Red Scars FC 2-0.
