The award, shared with the Kerala Football Association, recognised the launch and success of the Nagaland Super League (NSL) as a defining achievement in football development.

For the NFA, the award was not just a milestone for the association but a celebration of the entire Nagaland football community. It added that the recognition belonged to every person who believed in the power of football to transform the state - from grassroots mentors to league officials, fans, and young players.

Nagaland Super League, the state's first professional football league, made its debut in 2025 with seven teams competing across the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima and the newly inaugurated Chümoukedima Football Stadium.

The league was designed as a high-performance platform and was already reshaping the state's sporting culture. Barak FC won the inaugural season, defeating Longterok FC 3-1 in the final at the Chümoukedima stadium.
The NFA said the achievement would not have been possible without the support of key partners and stakeholders. The NSL credited the Nagaland Olympic Association for its pivotal role in empowering the state's sporting ecosystem and said the association's continued backing had been instrumental in the NSL's success.

The NSL also extended its gratitude to players, clubs, coaches, referees, volunteers, sponsors, media, and fans. It said the Nagaland Super League was the competitive face of its broader vision and added that the award reaffirmed its mission to build a sustainable, inclusive, and inspiring football future for Nagaland.