Assam Titans
Assam Titans celebrate after winning 5-1. Image credit - Northeast Now

The Northeast Futsal League (NEFL) kicked off on Sunday at the NC Bordoloi Indoor Stadium at Sarusajai in Guwahati.

It is India’s first-ever mixed-gender Futsal League, which will feature six teams in total, will be played over a period of seven days up to August 31, 2019.

Alobo Naga (Nagaland) and Equilibrium (Goa) dazzled with their performance in the opening ceremony.

Also read: Mizo Falcons to be part of Northeast Futsal League

Elvis Ali Hazarika, Manish Deka and noted ex-footballer Debashis Roy were present in the opening ceremony, informed Northeast Futsal League media manager Kaustab Chakraborty.

Alobo Naga
Noted singer Alobo Naga performing at the inaugural ceremony of NEFL in Guwahati on Sunday. Image credit – Northeast Now
Noted singer Alobo Naga performing at the inaugural ceremony of NEFL in Guwahati on Sunday. Image credit – Northeast Now

In the inaugural match between Assam Titans and Nagaland Super 5, Assam Titans beat Nagaland 5-1.

Nagaland made a good start by scoring the 1st goal by their captain Nyithong Magh in less than 3 minutes from a direct free kick.

But Assam Titans made a great comeback by scoring two goals coming from Aklanta Basu and Carlos Anotio by the half time.

In the 2nd half, Manoj Chetry of Assam scored a hat-trick and took Assam to a comprehensive win. All the matches will be streamed online.

Futsal League
Breaking gender stereotype at NEFL. Image credit – Northeast Now
Breaking gender stereotype at NEFL. Image credit – Northeast Now

The NEFL is a brainchild of Proclivity Sports and Recreation Pvt Ltd (PSR), owned by Ranajit Mahanta and Biswajit Mahanta.

It is aimed to create and develop a sustainable foundation for the sport of Futsal as a sporting career alternative for the athletes of Assam and Northeast India.

NEFL will be the first major sports, involving all eight Northeast states of India.