New Delhi

Earlier this week, representatives from eight northeastern states gathered in Shillong, Meghalaya, with a unified goal to advance football in the region, according to the All India Football Association. The meeting took place alongside the excitement of the Durand Cup 2024 semi-final, where Shillong Lajong FC (SLFC) competed against NorthEast United FC (NEUFC). NEUFC won 3-0, with Parthib Gogoi scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to the final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Saturday.

Senior football officials from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura attended the discussions. They focused on developing strategies to enhance football at all levels in these states. Topics included grassroots programs, women’s football, and the expansion of beach soccer and futsal.

AIFF Treasurer and Secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association, Kipa Ajay, emphasized the meeting’s goal: ‘We aim to grow football in the northeast through cooperation and communication. We discussed grassroots initiatives, women’s football, and spreading beach soccer and futsal.’

Another key topic was integrating football with local cultural events. Officials suggested holding tournaments during regional festivals to boost participation and community engagement. Additionally, there was talk of reviving the Dr. T. Ao Football Tournament, which could showcase local talent and promote the sport across the northeastern states. These initiatives aim to build on the region’s passion for football and elevate its standards.