Indian Football is currently undergoing a challenging period as there are multiple issues at the administrative level in the AIFF (All India Football Federation), alongside financial irregularities.
The AIFF, which is the governing body overseeing the sport, is trying hard to fix the age-old problem. Amidst this, there is something to cheer about for football fans in India as the North East Premier League has officially begun. It was introduced at a press conference at a hotel named Kiranshree Grand in Guwahati, Assam, on the 20th of January 2026.
Over the years, the North East has been known for producing high-quality footballing talent who have represented the Indian national team. Players like Bhaichung Bhutia, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Renedy Singh, Udanta Singh, Nirmal Chhetri, Jeakson Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Phrangki Buam, Redeem Tlang, Grace Dangmei, Rekha Kataki, etc. have been from the North East.
Even former India captain Sunil Chhetri is from the North East, although he chose to play from other state. Football in the North East has been a silver lining for Indian Football. It is a hub of Footballing talent that has contributed for the sport in India.
The North East Premier League will help the sport grow and will help Indian football in the long run. It will be a 10-year agreement and will require a collective effort from various State Football federations, which will be provided with a platform to upskill homegrown talent in their regions.
The AIFF will be a key figure in the operations and administration of the league. During the event, administrators and officials from all the North East states reaffirmed their stand to remain united to help develop the league by working closely to make regional football robust. The tournament will be played across three venues.
Tapping the unnoticed Football talent in the North East for the long term
Luis Nakawa, Chairman of Bestserv, a Japanese company was present during the event. North East’s footballing history goes a long way and there is no shortage of talent in these states. It has had a strong fan base, but it needs a league that highlights the North East as a footballing powerhouse.
North East Premier League will be a long-term project that will boost the footballing system right from the grassroots and youth level of the North East. According to Nakaya, it will be a foundation to groom local players, train local coaches & match officials, including referees, create a strong bond with the fans etc. It will also help players who haven’t got enough playing opportunities. International Development Manager Josef Kovac was also present alongside Nakaya.
All-round efforts from the football officials and personnel
Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Football Association, Mr Kipa Ajay, who is also the Treasurer of the All India Football Federation as well as the General Secretary of the North East Football Development Council, was also present during the event. He said, the launch of the North East Premier League highlights that the league is introduced with the support of the local fan base, supporters, and players.
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The success of NEPL will be defined through a rapport created through local clubs and federations that would help in laying a strong foundation to prepare a cohesive platform that would help the game grow and prosper across North East and also across India.
The main concept of the league is to generate a developmental ecosystem that would be a perfect base for age-group footballers and strengthen the core of different clubs. The tournament would be monitored through the guidance of well structured administration. It would help in bringing and forging partnerships with new forums that would attract sponsorship deals for the players in the long run, and commercial aspects would also be looked into. It can be a source of livelihood for hundreds of footballers who want to pursue the sport professionally.
For the tournament to attain new heights, signing a reliable broadcasting partner should be another goal of the administrators. Telecasting of live matches on TV channels, Social Media and OTT platforms will be a big boost as it is another step to help the game to connect with fans not only in the North East but also across the country and make the tournament more popular.
A framework of 10 years for transformational growth
Assistance from football associations of different states and support of corporate houses is another plan of this entire project. The main idea of this league is to create an infrastructure that would help transform the game professionally and also provide players with facilities that would help them take their game to another level and prepare them technically, temperamentally, as well as physically, to play alongside the best players from across the world.
The NEPL will be a shot in the arm not only for the North Eastern states but also for India, as it will help in upgrading the standard of Indian football through sustainability and planning.
