To nurture young talents, Department of Youth Resources and Sports introduced the Grassroot Football Festival (baby league) for the first in Nagaland on May 14 at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima.
A press release from DYRS stated the baby league saw a huge turnout seeing a total of 120 participants including 85 boys and 35 girls from the age group of U-12 taking part in the event.Three state football coaches from the Department of Youth Resources and Sports mentored the baby league.
Different categories such as U-12, U-10, U-6 age group were divided among the participating teams. The kids were let to enjoy the game mixing both genders inside a small pitch.
Deputy director YRS, Dovo Chase said the festival was initiated to groom professional footballers and also nurture the young talent at the very young age.
He said the festival was to give children an exposure to competitive football to instill confidence and discipline while enjoying the beautiful game football in the pitch.
While he also informed that the baby league will also have the second phase of festival in the coming months.