The Under-13 ASMITA Zonal Football League 2025–26 (East Zone) was held on February 5 at the Chumoukedima Football Stadium, bringing together young football talents from across the East Zone under the ASMITA and Khelo India initiatives.
Deputy Commissioner, Chumoukedima, Polan John, graced the inaugural ceremony as the Special Guest. Addressing at the event, the DC highlighted football as a powerful tool for unity, discipline and character-building, calling it a platform that brings people together across generations. He appreciated the Government of Nagaland for strengthening sports infrastructure and acknowledged the Youth Resources & Sports Department and ASMITA for promoting grassroots football, especially among young girls.
Polan John stressed the importance of equal opportunities in sports, noting that ASMITA provides vital competitive exposure to aspiring athletes. He encouraged parents to support their children’s sporting journeys and emphasized that sports play a key role in keeping youth engaged in positive activities while fostering teamwork, leadership and resilience.
He informed that the U-13 ASMITA Football League 2025–26 has seen participation from teams across multiple states, marking an important step in talent identification and development. Urging players to play with passion, discipline and fair play, the DC reminded them that every match is an opportunity to learn and grow.
He concluded by wishing all teams a successful, competitive and injury-free tournament, expressing confidence that many young players from Nagaland would go on to represent the state and the nation in the future.
Abhinav Sharma, Deputy Director, Khelo India Events, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, informed that more than 1,250 tournaments across 32 sports disciplines have been conducted under the ASMITA platform during the current financial year alone, benefiting over 1.5 lakh women athletes nationwide.
He stated that ASMITA, which began with a single sport in 2021 under the Khelo India Women’s League, has expanded exponentially and now organizes leagues even in remote districts across the country. Emphasising its impact, Sharma said the initiative has become a vital pipeline for identifying young talent and promoting inclusive participation at the grassroots level.
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He also acknowledged the crucial role played by National Sports Federations, including the All India Football Federation (AIFF), along with state bodies such as the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), in nurturing athletes and providing pathways from grassroots competitions to the national stage.
Sharma encouraged young players to compete with discipline and confidence, adding that consistent exposure through platforms like ASMITA will help shape India’s future champions.
The event is being hosted by the Nagaland Football Association and aims to promote grassroots football while identifying and nurturing young talent, particularly under the ASMITA framework for women’s and youth sports development.
The inaugural function was chaired by Kiyeka S. Sumi, Senior Vice-President, Nagaland Football Association (NFA). A welcome note was delivered by K. Neibou Sekhose, AIFF Executive Committee Member and President, Nagaland Football Association. Rev. A. Temsu Longkumer, Pastor, NPBC, Chümoukedima delivered an invocation prayer and a special song was presented by Kevilelhou Sokra.
