Football fever has gripped the state as the much-awaited Nagaland Super League (NSL) is set to commence on January 28, featuring seven football clubs eying for the league trophy.
As a run up to the NSL, an exhibition match was played on Sunday between Chumu FC and Warriors FC, at Chümoukedima Football Stadium. The NSL will see seven teams vying for supremacy, namely, Nagaland United Sports Club, Frontier Warriors, Red Scars Football Club, Sechu Zubza Football Club, Longterok Football Club, Barak Football Club, and 27th United Football Club. The matches would be played in league system, totalling to a total of 42 matches, with the final top four teams securing the play offs.
The matches will take place at Chümoukedima Football Stadium (CFS), where matches would be played at 2 PM and 5 PM, and Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), where matches would be played at 1 PM and 4 PM, subject to changes by the organizing team as per the situation.
The league opener will feature an exciting clash between Barak Football Club and Nagaland United Sports Club at CFS on January 28, 6 PM, after the inaugural programme.
The inaugural programme for the NSL is set to be held on January 28, marking the birth anniversary of late Dr. Talimeren Ao, the captain of the Indian National Football Team, to be held at CFS.
A host of dignitaries will be also be attending the inaugural function, including chief minister, Neiphu Rio, as the special guest, president All India Football Federation (AIFF) & joint secretary, Indian Olympic Association, Kalyan Chaubey, as the honored guest, ministers and advisors of the state, while special invitees include members of several state’s football associations, and bureaucrats.