Football in North East India

In North East India, football is a very popular game, with a large fan base and a rich past. The northeast is comprised of eight states, named Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura, which have a unique culture and geography identity that have contributed to the sport’s widespread appeal.

 

 

The North East’s well-known myth about Dr. Ao’s valou inspired people to start playing football. Football players from the small states prospered as a result of the explosion of tournaments. The north-eastern states emerged as the dominant force in Indian football in the late 1980’s.

The first captain of independent India’s football team was a famous figure from the hills – Dr. Talimeren Ao. Born in Nagaland, a passionate football state, Dr. Ao is an iconic figure in North-East and Indian football. 

 

There are key leaders from government, private bodies, clubs, and football communities who are playing a pivotal role in growing football in the North-East.  

The man behind developing football in Mizoram is Tetea Hmar. Tetea is a member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the General Secretary of the Mizoram Football Association (MFA). He started the Mizoram Premier League (MPL) back in 2012, the first league in the region to have a well-defined commercial structure. Tetea signed a significant five-year media rights deal, which equipped the league to become sustainable over the years. As of today, the tournament is telecasted on Sony Liv, reaches a broader Indian audience, and has become a stepping stone for young professionals in the game.  

 

The professional football club is based in Guwahati, Assam, and represents the eight states of North East India. It was founded in 2014 and competes in the Indian Super League.

NorthEast United Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Guwahati, Assam that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL), the top flight of Indian football. The club was founded on 13 April 2014 during the inaugural season of the Indian Super League. NorthEast United represents the 8 states of North East India, consisting of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Mizoram.

 

The unofficial supporters group of the club is “Highlander Brigade.” The fan club can be traced back to its roots, where it was merely a WhatsApp group formed out of a handful of followers of the Facebook page “NorthEast United FC Fans.” They not only support NorthEast United but also support the Indian team.

 

Before the fourth season of the Indian Super League, keeping an eye on the occasion, a major chunk of the group members decided to meet and attempt to do something big. And under the tutelage of key members helming certain responsibilities, the Brigade grew and spread out rapidly.

NorthEast United FC plays their home matches at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati. In 2014, to meet FIFA regulations, the stadium was renovated and its capacity was increased from 12,000 to 35,000. Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium hosted the opening ceremony of ISL 2016. NorthEast had the highest attendance on 20 October 2016, when a record attendance of 32,844 turned up to witness the match between NorthEast United and Chennaiyin FC. The capacity was again reduced to 23,850 after the installation of bucket seats for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The stadium saw the lowest attendance in the history of ISL when only 1,121 fans turned up to witness the match played between NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters on 17 February 2018.

 

From 2020 to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all the games were played in the state of Goa. Club played their home games at Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco da Gama, for the 2020–21 season and Fatorda Stadium, Margao, for the 2021–22 season.

Thus, football has a large following and plays a significant role in North East India, which includes Assam. The northeast is renowned for its love of sport, and many gifted athletes have come from this region. Clubs like Shillong Lajong FC, Aizawl FC, and NEROCA FC have made their mark in Indian football.

 

The North East region has produced several top players who have represented the Indian national team. The local leagues and tournaments in the area contribute to the development of football talent and also provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills and talents.

 

 

The conclusion is that football in North East India is not just a sport but a way of life for many people in the region to grow in this sport. The enthusiasm and love for the game continue to grow, making it an integral part of the culture and identity of the North East.