- NSL, stadium inauguration date in honour of 107th birth
anniversary of Dr. T Ao
Neiphiu Rio speaking during the inaugural ceremony of
Nagaland Super League at Chümoukedima Football Stadium, Police Complex, on
Tuesday. (EM Images)
- DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on
Tuesday simultaneously kicked-off the much-anticipated Nagaland Super League
(NSL) and inaugurated the Chümoukedima Football Stadium, Police Complex, one of
the two venues to host the NSL matches.
- In his address, the chief minister acknowledged the
president of All India Football Federation (AIFF) and joint secretary of Indian
Olympic Association (IOA), Kalyan Chaubey, for giving all support, guidance and
license to play the league in the state.
- Rio said the presence of Chaubey in the first edition of NSL
is a “big morale booster” for all the players who will be participating, now
and in future.
- He reminded the gathering that it has taken a lot of
dedication and hard work for materialisation of both the stadium and the NSL.
To this end, he commended the Department of Youth Resources and Sports and
contractors for completion of the stadium way ahead of the scheduled time.
- Informing that six astro turf grounds across six districts
have already been completed, he also assured that similar astro turf grounds
will be developed in all the districts within two to three years.
- This initiative aims to provide players with equal access to
high-quality facilities, enabling them to compete on the best grounds, he said.
- The chief minister also disclosed that January 28 was
specifically chosen to inaugurate the Chümoukedima Football Stadium and launch
the Nagaland Super League in honour of the 107th birth anniversary of Dr. T Ao,
the captain of independent India’s football team during the London Olympics.
