North East Premier League introduced with focus on long-term growth

North East Premier League begins new chapter for regional football development.

The North East Premier League (NEPL) was formally launched on Tuesday at a press conference held at Hotel Kiranshree Grand in Guwahati, marking a historic step towards building a long-term professional football ecosystem in the North East of India.

The launch event also saw the signing of a landmark 10-year agreement, highlighting a collective commitment to sustainable football development. Representatives and senior officials from all eight North Eastern states were present, reflecting rare unity and collaboration aimed at strengthening regional football.

Vision to unlock the North East’s football potential

Speaking at the launch, Luis Nakaya, Chairman of Bestserv (Japan), underlined the vast yet underutilised footballing potential of the region.

“The North East of India is one of the richest regions in the country in terms of football culture, talent, passion, and identity. For decades, this region has produced players, supporters, and strong football traditions, but it has not had a league structure that truly reflects its potential. NEPL is designed to change that. It is not a short-term tournament or an experimental project, but a stable, long-term professional football ecosystem,” he said.

Nakaya further stressed that NEPL goes beyond competition, serving as a holistic platform to empower young local players, develop coaches and match officials, strengthen fan engagement, and give the region a league it can genuinely call its own.

Collective vision from football administrators

Addressing the media, Mr. Kipa Ajay — Secretary General of the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association, Treasurer of the All India Football Federation, and General Secretary of the North East Football Development Council — spoke about the shared philosophy driving the league.

“The North East Premier League is built around people — our players, clubs, supporters, and local communities. This launch reflects our shared commitment to work together with federations, clubs, partners, and stakeholders to create a strong and professional football ecosystem in the region,” he said.

He added that the league is structured to create clear development pathways for young talent, strengthen clubs through good governance and commercial sustainability, and bring football closer to fans across the North East.

A decade-long roadmap for sustainable growth

With a clear 10-year roadmap, institutional backing, and unified support from state associations, NEPL aims to bridge long-standing gaps in competitive exposure, infrastructure, and professional opportunities for footballers from the region.

The North East Premier League is set to emerge as a defining platform for regional identity, talent development, and sustainable football growth, firmly placing the North East on India’s professional football map.

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