- DIMAPUR — The
Department of Youth Resources and Sports (YRS) has announced the highly
anticipated Nagaland Next Top Player Season 2 which will provide an
unprecedented opportunity for young footballers (indigenous inhabitants of
Nagaland) to embark on a journey toward professional international football.
- Organised in collaboration with the Nagaland Football
Association, Progressive Sports Consultants, SC Nagaland/Thonburi United
Thailand, this year’s edition offers a direct route to professional football
opportunities, a DIPR report stated.
- The selection camp will officially commence on May 12 at 2
pm at Chümoukedima Football Stadium, Police Complex. Open trials will be held
for all registered players after which two players will be selected for a
one-month training and trial programme at Thonburi United, Thailand.
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- The trip expenses for the selected two players—including
international flights and accommodation—will be sponsored as part of the
initiative to help elevate the most deserving talents to the global football
stage, it stated.
- The two finalists will undergo a month and half-long
training under Progressive Sports Consultants at Chümoukedima and thereafter
will undergo another one month-long professional training and tryout under the
expert coaching setup of Thonburi United in July 2025.
- This programme will determine their final signing into the
club for the 2025–2026 season, offering them a gateway into international
professional football.
- “This programme follows the inspiring success of Meceivi
Khieya, the season 1 winner of Nagaland Next Top Player who signed
professionally with Thonburi United in Bangkok for a period of 8 months. His journey stands as a testament to the
talent pool in Nagaland and the transformative power of this platform,” the
release stated.
