Chümoukedima, Oct 23: Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC) will become the first Nagaland team to compete in the Indian Football League (IFL), kicking off its maiden campaign against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar on October 30.
The club unveiled its official jerseys and hosted the IFL Trophy Tour at Zone Niathu in Chümoukedima on October 22, marking its entry into the national competition.
NUSC’s participation is seen as a potential pathway for Naga footballers into professional football, with the club aiming to recruit and develop local talent.
“We are not playing as a club, but we’re playing as a people,” founding member Abu Metha said at the media interaction, adding that the team hoped to showcase Nagaland and inspire young athletes.
Nagaland United secured its place in the league through the acquisition of Aizawl FC, a former I-League champion, with the move approved by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Metha said the acquisition provided a route into the IFL that would otherwise require a club to progress through the state league and successive divisions. However, delays in completing the acquisition, securing approvals and the closure of the transfer window have left the team with limited preparation time.
The squad comprises players registered under Aizawl FC, including several with previous IFL experience, along with new signings from Nagaland.
Limited preparation ahead of debut
Metha said the team had only around five to six days of collective preparation before its opening fixture, with some players also involved in the ongoing Mizoram Premier League.
The squad has been training at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima. A friendly against the Territorial Army team is scheduled for October 24 at 6.30 pm before the team travels to Srinagar.
Despite the short preparation period, Metha said the club would approach every match with the ambition to win while remaining realistic about the demands of its debut season.
Five Naga players signed
NUSC has signed five players from Nagaland and plans to recruit more local footballers in subsequent transfer windows.
Metha said the club would also conduct trials across the state, particularly targeting players below 20 years of age, to identify promising talent.
Some players who featured in the Nagaland Super League are registered as amateurs and will have to complete the required formalities to become eligible for professional competitions, he said.
“We are looking forward to signing definitely more players because the aim is to create as many opportunities for Naga players as possible,” Metha said.
The club is also considering players from outside Nagaland, subject to trials, medical examinations and fitness assessments.
Chümoukedima to host 10 home matches
Nagaland United will play its home fixtures at the Chümoukedima Football Stadium within the Chümoukedima Police Complex, where it is scheduled to host 10 matches. Its first home game is slated for November 14.
Metha said the club had obtained permission from the state government’s Department of Sports to use the venue. The AIFF has inspected the stadium and provided guidelines for hosting league matches.
He said the arrival of established clubs would give football fans in Nagaland an opportunity to watch high-level competition at home.
In a move to support sports development, NUSC has decided to contribute 10% of ticket sales from its home matches to the Nagaland government’s sports development fund. The contribution, approved by the club’s board, will apply across ticket categories.
Gallery tickets are expected to cost Rs 299, excluding applicable taxes and service charges.
Professional coaching staff
The club has appointed AFC A-licensed coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla as head coach. Metha said Ambapardiwalla had national and international experience and had served as head coach of Jamshedpur FC during the previous year’s Durand Cup.
NUSC has also recruited physiotherapists, a strength and conditioning coach, a goalkeeper coach and other support staff.
Beyond the IFL, the club intends to participate in the Nagaland Super League and other competitions for which it qualifies.
NUSC President John Longkumer and General Secretary Lhouvi Punyu attended the media interaction. Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along was also present at the trophy tour and jersey unveiling.
Metha thanked the state government, the Nagaland Football Association and the AIFF for their support, and urged football fans to rally behind the team.
The October 30 fixture against Real Kashmir will mark Nagaland United’s first step into national league football, as the club seeks to establish a professional platform for players from the state.
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