'Naupang League should be implemented across India': Bhaichung Bhutia opines stressing importance of Grassroot development

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The Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League, a pioneering football initiative in Mizoram, has been commended by former Indian national team captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

He emphasized the importance of such tournaments in discovering and nurturing young football talents across the country. Bhutia, a football icon from Sikkim, has emphasized the need for support from various stakeholders to replicate the success of this league in other regions of India.

"It's a great start. (The RFYC Naupang League) is a pioneering project and I hope it's successful, so that it can be implemented in different parts of the country," Bhutia said in an interview with ISL.

Launched in November 2022, the RFYC Naupang League operates over nine months and spans four districts in Mizoram-Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib, and Lunglei. This league caters to young footballers across multiple age groups, including U-6, U-8, U-10, U-12, and U-14. In Aizawl and Champhai, twelve teams compete in each of the five age groups, with each team participating in 33 matches.

This is managed by RYFC to ensure structured matchdays and consistent training opportunities. Meanwhile, Kolasib and Lunglei have introduced the RFYC District League, which features 21 matches in a three-legged tournament for the same age brackets, providing teams with four additional matches for better competitive exposure.

Bhutia has highlighted Mizoram's passion for football and its success in producing outstanding talent across various age groups, despite facing resource constraints. He praised the state for its dedication to the sport and for cultivating a strong footballing culture. This dedication is evident in the meticulous management of the RFYC Naupang League, ensuring regular training and competitive matches for the participants.

"We need to do much more in terms of grassroots. It's not going to be enough only in Mizoram in the North East. We need to spread across India. There are several talented players across India. Everyone, not just the ISL, but also the federation, the state football associations, the district football associations, need to be completely involved in the grassroots development. I see a lot of talent. But, we will have to put in a lot of time, energy, and effort to get that talent out, and give them the right platform. It's a great start from Mizoram," Bhutia said, emphasizing the importance of expanding such initiatives to uncover and develop talent nationwide.

The league has experienced considerable success, with over 2,350 young boys and girls from 184 teams participating in its previous season. Additionally, 36 referees underwent referee licensing sessions, with 23 achieving Level 8 licenses. The ongoing Season 3 is set to continue, with Aizawl hosting Matchday 5 on October 12, 2024.