Players hail NSL 2025, seek sustainability and longer season

The highly anticipated conclusion of the Nagaland Super League (NSL) 2025 has drawn widespread praise from fans, players, and coaches, with many highlighting the league’s vital role in reviving competitive football in the state. However, players and coaches have also called for a longer league duration, more participating clubs, and a stronger focus on sustainable development to ensure the continued growth of football in Nagaland.

Former I-League goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu, who previously played for Shillong Lajong FC, Mawlai SC, HAL Sports Club, Ryntih SCC, and recently featured for Red Scars FC in the NSL, shared his reflections on the league.

“The intensity in NSL matches was very high, but when compared to national leagues, we still lag in technical aspects like passing and finishing,” Chalieu noted.

Nevertheless, he described the 2025 edition as a “grand success,” praising the NSL governing body for its organization. As an experienced senior player, he advocated for extending the league season to 4–5 months and increasing the number of clubs to provide players with greater exposure and match experience.

Lavoriyi Theluo, AFC B-license coach of 27 United FC and former coach at Minerva Punjab FC and Asufü Football Academy, described the NSL as a platform that has “ignited a new era” in Nagaland football.

While appreciating the organizers’ efforts, Theluo emphasized the importance of sustainable practices. His suggestions included allowing clubs to determine their own player salaries, providing matchday fees to support club welfare, focusing resources on players rather than entertainment events, redistributing prize money towards club development, and making ticket prices more affordable to build stronger fan support.

“The success of NSL should not be judged by a single event but by its lasting impact. Long-term growth must be the priority,” he said.

Ating Tingnyek Konyak, AIFF D-License coach and manager of Barak FC, reflected on his own footballing journey. Having previously played for Rangdajied United in the Shillong Premier League (2016), Naga Tornadoes, and Kohima Komets in the inaugural and second editions of the Nagaland Premier League, Konyak observed that the NSL had elevated the level of competition significantly.

“Compared to other tournaments, the NSL was completely different. The atmosphere, pressure, and competition were on another level,” he said.

Konyak applauded the mandatory inclusion of Under-20 players — requiring each club to sign at least six and field two per match — as a crucial step in providing youth with opportunities to showcase their talents.

“Although the prize money and individual awards may not be large, the league must continue to keep players active and the sport alive,” he emphasized.

Temjenwati Longkumer, a former Shillong Lajong Academy product who also represented Gauhati Town Club (U-14) and North East 11 (U-17), praised the NSL’s professionalism and organizational standard.

“As a player who has competed at the national level, I felt the NSL carried the same spirit. Matches were well-organized, players were serious, and the crowd was enthusiastic,” Longkumer noted.

He suggested expanding the number of participating teams to further boost competition.

“NSL has huge potential. Players should treat every match like a final because opportunities like these can change careers,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Laiwang Bohham, a striker with professional experience in the Goa Professional League, Punjab League, Delhi League, Durand Cup, I-League Second Division, and Shillong Lajong FC, made a major impact this season, helping Barak FC lift the NSL trophy.

Reflecting on his experience, Bohham shared: “Though the level is different, I’m loving it here. Playing at home is a different feeling,” he said.

He praised the NSL platform, saying, “This is the kind of platform every footballer from the streets of Nagaland prayed for. With the effort the NFA and Nagaland Government are putting in, I’m hopeful NSL will make it big soon. Managing an event like this is a huge task, so my only hope is that the NSL sustains itself and holds successive successful editions.”

Bohham also admitted adapting to the local playing style had been a challenge. “The experience has been immense, but it has been hard for me lately to fit into the kind of game here,” he reflected.

Highlighting the opportunities now available to young players, he said, “Our boys are getting picked from small local tournaments and given the biggest footballing platform in the state. They no longer have to struggle for trials to play state leagues — homegrown clubs can fit them all. This has to be the best thing.”

He added that earlier generations, including players like Tingnyek Konyak, Thopi, Kivi Zhimomi, James Kithan, Neithovilie Chalieu, and others, did not have such privileges.

“Since this is the first edition, there’s nothing much I can complain about. It’s going well, but it can still be better,” Bohham concluded.

MT