NSL disburses Rs 13.22 lakhs in cash awards, reaffirms commitment to grassroots football

With a strong focus on “promoting grassroots football and protecting players’ rights,” the Nagaland Super League (NSL) has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and development in football.

In a press communiqué shared on their official Facebook Page, the NSL Governing Body announced that a total of Rs 13.22 lakhs in cash awards has been disbursed to individual winners, including “top performers, fans, and logo competition winners.” It was informed that the cash awards for all the individual prizes have already been paid to the winners through bank transactions to the respective bank accounts of the award winners provided by the franchises.

According to the communiqué, “the most important aspiration of the Nagaland Super League (NSL) is to promote football, grassroots development and to elevate the status of footballers.” It added that “keeping this aim in mind, the NSL Governing Body had taken the decision much before the launch of the league to frame the rules and guidelines to favour the promotion and protection of the footballers.”

As part of this framework, the NSL mandates that each franchise or club must consist of “24 players who are indigenous to Nagaland,” including “at least 6 players who are under 20 years of age.” Additionally, “each team is to have at least 3 Under-20 players in the starting line-up for every match.”

To ensure player welfare, it was also made mandatory that every club have legal contracts with players. These contracts must include “a minimum base fee for every player on a monthly basis” and a duration of “at least 3 months,” following terms set by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and NSL Governing Body. “The franchises/clubs are to mandatorily submit the proof of payments and details of bank transactions of salaries paid to the footballers,” it stated, referring to NSL Franchise Ownership Guidelines Para. 5 (2)(b).

ALSO READ | Players hail NSL 2025, seek sustainability and longer season

“These due-diligences and compliances are all aimed at upholding the footballers’ interest and for ensuring that the clubs qualify to be recognised and registered under the AIFF,” the communiqué noted.

“The guidelines of the league and for the franchises are designed and aimed at achieving sustainability, protection and promotion of the footballers and development of grassroots,” it added, further stating that “most importantly, the decisions are aimed at making the league ‘professional’.”

While acknowledging the success of the first edition of the NSL, the Governing Body also pointed out that “there are also several improvements to be undertaken,” urging that “all stakeholders must move as one united team and not as different entities.”

Cash prizes were paid to winners “through bank transactions to the respective bank accounts of the award winners provided by the franchises.” In the spirit of unity, the communiqué concluded with a rallying call: “Let’s continue building a stronger football community, together!”

MT