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NEFL: All you need to know about India's first-ever mixed-gender futsal league
The Northeast futsal league is all set to kick-off at the NC Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. First of its kind in India, the mixed-gender league will be contested by six teams, played across seven days starting from Sunday. Nagaland Super 5 will lock horns with Assam Titans in the opening fixture of the meet. The other teams in the competition include Meghalaya Thunders, Mizo Falcons, Apunba Manipur, and Arunachal Highlanders.
As per the rules set, a total of 8 players are permitted in a team with a coach and a manager. One female player can be on the pitch during the play. Meanwhile, a total of 3 women and 5 men players including two International players (1 male and 1 female) can be a part of the squad. This tournament will be a revolution in the North-Eastern, a region which has taken futsal quite seriously in recent times.
The tickets for the matches of the Northeast Futsal League are available on Playnlive.com and at the gates. The tournament is being organised by Proclivity Sports and Recreation Pvt Ltd (PSR), a start-up sports management company in Guwahati, Assam.
Let us have a look at the roster of the participating teams:
Mizoram Player List
Goalkeeper: Zothanmawia
Defenders: C. Lalrinsanga, Lalawmpuia (captain)
Midfielder: P.C. Lalhruaitluanga, Jessica Pastor Carreno, Jenny VL Hmangaihsangi,
Elizabeth Vanlalmawii, C. Lalruatsanga
Forwards: Alan Lalhriatpuia, Michael Okwudili
Coach: Zosangliana Khawlhring
Manager: Lalmuanawma
Arunachal Highlanders Players List
Goalkeeper: Hage Takang (Captain)
Midfielder: Byabang agio, Karlo Bui, Giani Ramching Mara, Taba Sama
Defence: Mario Navarro Penalver (coach)
Forward: Paula Boza Gil, Langda Mina, Romik Tapa.
Manipur Players List
Midfielder: Md. Yasir, Mohammad
Goalkeeper: Md. Abujar
Forward: Patrick Kamei (captain), Ranjibala, Thahenbi, Joana Garcia Duran
Defender: Mohammad Chaoba (caoch), Henry Opara
Coach: Mohammad Chaoba
Manager: Badrur Rahman
Meghalaya Thunders Player List
Goalkeeper: Denington Nongrum
Defenders: Arki Maitlynti Makri, Andre Makri, Francis Onyeama
Midfielder: Batskhem Nongsiej, Lily L Nongkynrih, Evan Pohplet, Ariana Martos Romero
Forward: Carlos Nongsiej, Nangteiskhem Nongrum,
Ilenaki Laloo
Coach: Nangteiskhem Nongrum
Manager: Kieffer Kharphuli
The inclusion of the foreign players will more glamour to the league. India has previously hosted the Premier Futsal League where legendary footballers have shared the pitch with Indian footballers. The North-East Futsal will also give an opportunity to brush their shoulders with the International stars.
Allotment of foreign players
Teams:
Assam Titans: Paula Rubio Fernandez / Carlos Antonio
Meghalaya: Ariana Martos Romero / Francis Onyeama
Nagaland: Patricia Ballesteros Bermero / Alex Rubio carretero
Manipur: Joana Garcia Duran / Henry Opara
Arunachal: Paula Boza Gil / Mario Navarro Penalver
Mizoram: Jessica Pastor Carreno / Michael Okwudili
This is an attempt to popularize futsal in the North-Eastern region in our country and induce the culture of the sport in the area. Previously, football clubs like Aizawl FC, NEROCA FC and Shillong Lajong FC have made it big in the country. It will be an opportunity for the ‘highlanders’ to mark their arrival in futsal. All eyes will be on the seven-day tournament once it kicks-off in Guwahati on Sunday.