The inaugural season of the Nagaland Super League (NSL) has been hailed as an overwhelming success by Abu Metha, Vice-President of the Athletic Federation of India and Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA). Speaking at a press conference on May 12 at Niathu Resort, Chumoukedima, Metha reflected on the remarkable achievements of the league, which surpassed expectations and left a lasting impact on the football ecosystem in Nagaland.
“Overwhelming success,” Metha described the NSL, adding, “It’s beyond our expectations. This is not just the success of the league, but a victory for the entire ecosystem of football in Nagaland and the wider sports ecosystem of the state.”
Metha extended his gratitude to the fans, emphasizing their role in the league’s success. “Without the fans, football cannot rise,” he stated, acknowledging that the passionate supporters had been a driving force behind the league’s success. The final match, he pointed out, drew an impressive 53,000 live attendees, with over 7 million impressions on Facebook and more than 5 lakh live stream views.
The league also garnered massive attention and engagement across various platforms. “More than 60,000 people attended the matches in Nagaland across the two stadiums,” Metha revealed, adding that the league’s social media impressions reached an astounding 60 million, and ticket sales brought in revenue of approximately Rs 60 lakh.
One of the league’s standout achievements, Metha noted, was its exclusive partnership with NE Live, making the NSL the only league in the country with a weekly show on satellite television.
However, despite the success, Metha acknowledged the challenges faced by the league. “The two main challenges were limited resources and infrastructure,” he said, explaining that expanding the league’s venues would drive up costs due to increased travel time, additional regulations for rest days, and match days.
Metha also shared the impressive employment impact of the NSL, stating, “Our total employment created was 612 jobs during the NSL.” The league also provided opportunities for players, with 203 individuals getting the chance to play football professionally and receive compensation according to the league’s guidelines.
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The NSL’s focus on youth development was a key highlight. Metha explained that it was mandatory for every franchise to have at least six U-20 players in a squad of 30. Furthermore, each team had to have a minimum of two U-20 players in the starting 11. “Our aim was to provide opportunities for youngsters and promote grassroots development,” he said.
A unique aspect of the league was the inclusion of guest players. Each team was allowed six guest players, but only three could play at any given time, ensuring that local talent also had room to shine on the field.
The NSL also introduced the concept of a Fan Zone, which Metha described as an entrepreneurial and business-driven initiative. “The Fan Zone expanded a new scope for merchandise, food and beverages, entertainment, and other ventures,” he said, adding that it significantly contributed to the community atmosphere around the league.
Reflecting on the league’s unifying power, Metha concluded, “Our aim was to bring Nagaland together through football, and we were almost able to achieve that.”