The three-day 2nd Nagaland Women Futsal League was inaugurated on Monday at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, with officials highlighting the importance of women’s participation in sports and gender equality.
The programme was organized by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association.
Speaking as the special guest, Zhothisa Dawhuo, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Women Resource Development Department, said empowering girls through sports contributes towards nation-building. “There is no better or more dynamic tool for that empowerment than sports,” he added.
“For too long the sporting arena was considered a man’s world. Today that narrative is changing, but the fight for equal representation continues,” he said.
Dawhuo highlighted that sports help foster profound personal growth, teach girls and women resilience, teamwork, leadership. “They learn that errors are expected, but that giving up is not an option,” he added.
Stating that competitive sports also shatter harmful stereotypes, he said when a woman steps onto the field, she defies the outdated notion that women are not “strong” or “competitive” enough.
“Finally it drives social change. Female athletes are powerful role models who normalize female leadership. They make it possible for the next generation to dream bigger,” he added.
However, he urged everyone to support girls and encourage them to stay in the game, advocate for equal and ensure that they have the same access to training and resources as men.
“Promoting women in sports is a crucial step toward gender equality. It ensures that our daughters have the same opportunities as our sons — to learn, to grow and to shine,” he said.
Delivering the welcome address, K Neibou Sekhose, President of the Nagaland Football Association, expressed pride over the growth of women’s football in the state.
He noted that the first women’s football match was played in Edinburgh in 1881, while the Women Football Federation of India (WFFI) was formed in 1975 before being absorbed into the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 1990.
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Sekhose said the league, launched two years ago to provide a dedicated platform for women footballers, is gradually turning into a successful initiative with participation from teams across Nagaland along with licensed coaches and certified referees, including women referees.
“Our beautiful dream is slowly fulfilling,” he said and described futsal as “the school of football”. He said the game helps players develop quick feet, fast thinking, discipline and technical skills that can help them advance to higher tournaments and even national-level football.
Addressing the players, he encouraged them to play with passion and discipline while respecting opponents and match officials.
“Talent will win your matches. Character will win you life,” he said.
He also thanked parents for supporting their daughters in football and urged them to continue encouraging girls to participate in sports.
“A Naga girl with a football is a Naga girl with a future,” he added.
The tournament offers prize money of Rs 60,000 for the champions, Rs 50,000 for the runners-up, Rs 40,000 for third place and Rs 20,000 for fourth place. Individual awards of Rs 5,000 each will be presented for Player of the Tournament, Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer, while the Best Disciplined Team will receive Rs 10,000.
Sekhose expressed gratitude to the Department of Youth Resources & Sports for taking initiative to develop women football by organizing and sponsoring the 2nd Nagaland Women Futsal League.
The programme began with an invocation by Vikhoto Zao, Pastor of PCRC.
