Kohima Bureau
Kohima, April 5 (EMN): The second edition of the Kohima Football League (KFL) is all set to begin by the end of April at Kohima local ground. Till date seven teams have registered for the KFL, organised by the Kohima Town Club.
Slot is still open for teams to register and it is likely that one or two more teams may register for the league which will begin on April 25 (tentative). Eight teams participated in the first season of KFL; but three of them have backed out this year.
All the top four team of last year’s edition will be making their appearance at the Khuochiezie again. The reigning champions Ziekezou Sporting Club, runners-up New Market FC, while third and fourth place winners United 16 FC and Khriekesa FC along with Nagabazar FC have registered for the league. The two teams making their debuts are Sechü Zubza FC and Vanguard FC from Tseminyu.
Unlike the previous edition where the KFL was conducted in single round format, this year’s edition will be conducted as per the double round-robin system. This was informed by William Koso, a pioneering member of KTC who is currently associated with Aizawl FC as assistant coach.
Kevilebei Paphino, head of technical of KTC also informed that they (organisers) have enhanced the prize money to INR 1 lakh for the champions and INR 70,000 for the runner-up. Last year, it was INR 80,000 and INR 50,000 for the top two winners.
In 2017, the KTC Cup was also held right after the completion of the KFL. However, Paphino has confirmed that there will be no KTC Cup this year. Delighted with the success of the first edition of KFL, Koso foresees that the KTC can contribute enormously in promoting football in Nagaland.
Last year, the KFL was played in August and September under wet conditions; however, it has been rescheduled to April and May this year with the hope to finish the league before the monsoon.
“We want to do so many activities to promote football in the state, but it’s sad that we do not have single ground with proper facilities,” Koso said wondering on how Nagaland will catch up with the rest of the country.
Koso has also requested football fans to come and witness the matches and extend support to the local footballers.
Four Nagas in Chennai league
Of late, a good number of footballers from Nagaland have been playing in tournaments and leagues outside the state. This attempt by the soccer players is solely to make a career in football.
Even this year, Kivi Zhimomi, who currently plays for Gokulam Kerala Football Club (GKFC) as a striker made his debut in the I-League against Minerva Punjab FC at the EMS Stadium in Calicut on January 6. The 22-year-old Zhimomi became the 4th person from Nagaland to play at India’s top tier league after Roko Angami, Kwethelhi Thopi and James Kithan.
We also have other Naga players like Visalie Mezhü, who plays for Churchill Brothers Sporting Club and Neithovilie Chalieu, a goalkeeper, who plays for Shillong Lajong Football Club. Though Chalieu is yet to make his debut in I-league, he has been in the team squad for I-League.
It comes as good news for Nagaland football as four Naga players were recently picked by different clubs to play in Chennai League.
The footballers who are currently playing for various clubs in the Chennai League are Lironthung Lotha, playing for Viva Chennai FC, Bemo Mozhui for Chennai FC, while Kevisalie Sechü and Lawing Bonham are both playing for Reserve Bank Recreation Club FC, Chennai.
Once the Chennai League is over, it was informed that some of these players will be playing for different clubs taking part in the Kolkata League.
