The Nagaland Super League (NSL) has withheld prize money for several football clubs due to their failure to meet mandatory compliance requirements, according to Abu Metha, Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association and Member, NSL governing body.

Addressing the media during a press conference titled “Final Score” at Niathu Resort on May 12, Metha clarified that while individual player awards have already been disbursed via bank transfers, prize money earmarked for clubs has not been released for teams that did not adhere to stipulated guidelines. These requirements include the payment of match penalties and submission of player contract documents as per the norms set by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Metha emphasized that the NSL was launched with a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure professionalism and protect player rights and added that as part of the framework, franchises are required to establish individual contracts with players, which must be vetted by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and comply with AIFF standards and clarified that clubs which failed to meet these conditions were deemed ineligible to receive prize disbursements.

He also stated that the NSL continued with its scheduled matches despite several outstanding issues. He said that teams which failed to clear financial dues or submit the required documentation have been excluded from the final prize money settlements.

According to Metha, compliance with the league’s regulatory requirements, including timely payment of penalties and submission of financial transaction proofs was essential for clubs to remain eligible within the league and with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

He informed that financial support was provided to all franchises before the league began, including ticket value assistance worth ₹5 lakh. However, only those clubs that fulfilled all procedural formalities received their full prize money.

Metha also announced that preparations for the second season of the NSL were already underway. He said that the upcoming season would see enhancements in league structure, scale, and fan engagement. Plans include the introduction of new teams and an extended league duration. A formal entry process for new franchises is expected to begin following the summer break, while existing teams will be required to meet all compliance regulations to retain their positions.

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Acknowledging infrastructure limitations, such as stadium size and seating capacity, Metha said that the state government had initiated efforts to address these challenges. He reported that relevant departments have already conducted surveys for additional gallery space, and upgrades to existing facilities are in progress to meet the demands of the growing league.

Metha also stated that discussions were ongoing to secure the inclusion of two or three teams from Nagaland in the national I-League. He added that the qualification of the NSL champion for a national tournament has further strengthened the case for greater representation from the state at the national level.

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural season, Metha said that the league concluded on a high note, with over 60,000 spectators attending live matches and digital viewership reaching into the millions. He noted that the NSL had united communities across Nagaland and played a key role in fostering a strong football culture in the state.

As part of its commitment to grassroots development, Metha informed that a team of top Under-20 players selected from the league will undergo preparatory training in Nagaland before heading to the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bangalore. This initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the JSW Foundation.

He further noted that the success of the NSL had been recognized at the national level, with the Nagaland Football Association and state authorities recently receiving the AIFF Special Award for a new football project. Metha attributed the success to the dedication of hundreds of individuals working behind the scenes and to the enthusiastic support of fans across the state.