Grassroots Football in Mizoram Recognized Globally with AFC 2026 Award

Mizoram’s home‑grown football project, the Nawpung League, has earned international acclaim after the Asian Football Confederation selected it as the Best Grassroots Competition at the 2026 AFC Special Grassroots and Elite Youth Football Awards. The league, launched in November 2022 through a partnership between the Mizoram Football Association and the Reliance Foundation Young Champs, now covers four districts – Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib and Lunglei – and hosts more than 200 teams with over 3,000 registered players ranging from six to fourteen years old. Over its first four seasons, the league documented 9,804 matches, amounting to over 450,000 minutes of competitive play for young athletes. Designed as a year‑round platform, it offers regular fixtures, skill‑building opportunities and a formal football environment. It also focuses on developing local coaches, referees and improving playing facilities to strengthen the grassroots ecosystem. In the 2025‑26 season, the Mini Mizoram initiative was rolled out to engage younger children through schools and community centres. The AFC’s December 2026 ceremony will spotlight this achievement, reflecting the rising prominence of community‑led football development in the state.