TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025
Football star Kevisanyü Peseyie speaks on pursuing a pro career
Published on Feb 25, 2025
Share
- Kevisanyü Peseyie
- DIMAPUR — Kevisanyü Peseyie discovered his love for football at an early age and first played the sport on muddy fields using improvised balls. Over the years, he has established himself as a versatile player, adept in roles ranging from central midfield and right-back to forward.
- His career highlights include playing in the Thai League 3 and representing Siam FC Bangkok during the 2022-23 season, representing Nagaland in the Santosh Trophy, and captaining the Nagaland team to a bronze medal at the 2024 North East Games.
- In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Kevisanyü discusses his early life, the evolution of his football journey, and the practical steps young players in Nagaland can take to pursue a professional career in the sport.
- Please tell us about your early life and how you got interested in football.
- I am Kevisanyu Peseyie (Sanyu), though many know me as 'Kevi’. I grew up in an all-boys family of five, raised by humble parents in a village called Jotsoma, near Kohima. I completed my early schooling in the same beautiful village before moving to Greenwood Higher Secondary School to finish my pre-university studies. Later, I moved to the Indian capital to graduate from Zakir Hussain Delhi College under Delhi University.
- I have loved football since the first time I saw it and have had a passion for the game since I was around 5 or 6 years old. Like any other normal village boy, I mischievously behaved wherever I went. Interestingly, it was during these times that I got to play football with friends in muddy, small fields, using balls made of rags or bottles at school. I mostly spent time with seniors and elders in the family and among friends, who also played the sport a lot, which instinctively drew me closer to it.
- I vividly remember watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup and how my interest in the game grew alongside it. In all honesty, there wasn’t any specific player who inspired me "to dream" or "to pursue" football. It was simply a raw attachment to the sport and a genuine love for it. The young me had already made peace with the thought that I would do anything to play professional football and build a career out of it.
- At Greenwood School, I was selected to play in the famous Subroto Mukherjee International Football (U-14) tournament. When I moved to New Delhi in 2016 for my graduation, I quickly enrolled in the Delhi United FC Youth Team, where I was also selected to play in the HERO I-League U-18. Balancing sports and academics was always a priority for me, and neither was compromised. As a college student, I had opportunities to play in major university championships, with the most notable being the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (All India), where my college team was crowned 'CHAMPIONS'.
- My determination, despite all the challenges, led to breakthroughs. I received a call to play for the then and now Delhi FC in the Delhi State League for two seasons. In 2023, I went to Kolkata to play in the prestigious Calcutta Football League. Later that year, I was given the opportunity to play in the Thai League 3. It was a short stint, but I loved every bit of it—what an experience! Without a shadow of a doubt, 2024 was the biggest highlight of my career.
- On a normal day at home, I received a call from Waisong, the manager of Karbi Anglong Morning Star (KAMS) FC, and within the next few days, I moved to Diphu to play in I-League 3. I typically prefer and usually operate in a midfield position, but I can be used as a versatile player depending on the coach's requirements. Interestingly, my coach at KAMS FC positioned me as a false 9/striker, a role I never thought I’d play.
- Twists and turns followed, and God made the coach use me in that role. What a young, mischievous village boy could only dream of—I scored 8 goals in that campaign and became the highest scorer of I-League 3. This also put the club in a strong position, and we collectively worked to earn a promotion to I-League 2 in 2025. I received multiple offers from I-League 2 and other I-League clubs, but my desire to play among our people, in our own league, was always the ultimate goal.
- What are the steps a young person from Nagaland would need to take to pursue football as a career?
- Embarking on a journey in football often begins in the formative years of childhood. Introducing a child to football at a young age can have a positive and significant impact on their overall development. Therefore, enrolling in football schools or club academies would be the obvious choice. However, as sad as it is, in Nagaland, such opportunities are few to non-existent. While not necessarily limited to these, football programmes can also be set up in institutions that offer such initiatives in a timely manner.
- At what age should one start football training if they aspire to go pro?
- While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the right age for a child to start football, engaging early offers a multitude of physical and mental benefits. The right age for a child to start depends on their developmental stage and ability to learn proper techniques.
- What unique challenges and opportunities do footballers in Nagaland face compared to those in other parts of India?
- No one can question the raw talent, gift, and ability of Nagas in playing football. We are no different from the rest of the country, and if anything, we are far more gifted. However, one can raise questions about the platforms, infrastructure, and opportunities available to showcase this talent. The chances of being recognised by outsiders are minimal or non-existent, which hinders the path and presents major obstacles for people in Nagaland.
- How would you describe the level of football in the Nagaland Super League, and what can it offer aspiring players?
- The level and competition in the NSL have definitely been of a higher standard, as they should. However, credit must be given to the guest players and guest management staff, as it is largely because of them that there is a standard to the league. Nagaland football revolves within a very small group, where players often face each other repeatedly within a short span of time. I would rate the difficulty level as intermediate and the competition level as good. It provides a great opportunity for young players to learn, gain experience, and sharpen their skills in a professional league like the NSL.
During
North East Games 2024.- Could you share the key skills and qualities that young players need to develop if they want to pursue football professionally?
- Development of motor skills, activities that improve coordination, balance and agility. Learning to cooperate with teammates. Understanding the importance of sportsmanship. Building relationships and connections. Rest “practices after practices” in trainings.
- How important is formal training or enrolling in sports academies for those who want to build a career in football?
- Very important. Academies provide professional coaching, age-appropriate training programmes, and a supportive environment. They focus on developing specific skills, understanding the game, and providing a strong foundation for a professional career. Through structured training sessions, young athletes have the opportunity to develop their technical skills, game intelligence, and physical capabilities.
- What is your advice to students balancing academics and sports? How can they excel in both?
- Build a solid support system. Coaches, teachers, and parents all have crucial roles to play and provide different forms of assistance. Create a schedule, prioritise tasks, and set realistic goals. Communicate effectively, and take breaks to rest.
- Are there any heroes or role models who inspired you when you were starting out?
- There weren't any heroes who gloriously inspired me when I was growing up. My dad was a state football player but didn’t necessarily motivate me to be like him, to speak truthfully. However, I reckon it was also because of him, and growing up in an all-boys family, that something inside me drove me to play the sport.
- What do you think is the next big step for football development in Nagaland and the broader northeast region?
- With the NSL coming in, aimed at professionalising football in Nagaland, it is hoped that it will bring about a shift in transforming both the state and Indian football in general. Despite having many talented kids, Nagaland has yet to meet expectations or make a significant impact in Indian football. With Indian football at stake and often overshadowed by cricket, it is crucial that regional and state leagues, like the NSL, continue to take place and consistently drive change in the sport. Football, the most loved, most played, and most watched sport in the world, is unfortunately well below par in India.
- In Nagaland, we need to start unearthing talent from every corner, foster grassroots development, and rebuild the broken football and sports culture. While the NSL will contribute to changing the sports landscape and create new pathways, the focus must be on grassroots development. It is vital to invest more money, energy, and time into creating academies that can nurture young talent. You cannot study for Standard 5 without attending the earlier grades.
- What kind of support system do you think students need—from family, friends, or institutions—to pursue sports seriously?
Playing
in the Thai League 3.- It is very important to have a strong support system. Contrary to society’s beliefs about football and those who play the game professionally, financial stability and security are myths—footballers are precarious workers with short careers. In Nagaland, we have yet to make a significant impact, and so parents would understandably be sceptical about encouraging their children to pursue football. However, a child’s dreams and goals should not be hindered by anyone’s choices, not even parents.
- Institutions must teach beyond mainstream education. There is a vast world out there, and we need to think beyond our confines. Extra-curricular programs focused on sports should be introduced, sports activities should be organised regularly, exposure trips should be arranged, and athletes should be encouraged to share their stories to inspire young minds.
- What message would you like to give to students who dream of becoming professional footballers?
- It is only when a child or student reaches a critical inflection point in their life that we must ask them: What do you want to do? Do you dream of playing football and making a life out of it? Come forward, young men and women. Leave your comfort zones and be ready to face challenges and obstacles, for these will come more often than success.
- I urge anyone who wants to pursue football to first and foremost submit to God and allow Him to guide you. We are talking about football, the biggest and richest sport industry, so our dreams and goals should be just as grand. You never know what God has prepared for you, as He already created you. Trust Him, put your faith in Him, and walk with Him patiently and obediently. God has a plan and purpose for your life. He will call you. Play football to the glory of God, and everything else in life will follow.
- RAPID INSIGHTS
- If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
- If I were asked the same question a million times, my answer would remain the same: I would have dinner with Jesus. He is the greatest historical figure the world has ever known.
- What's your favourite movie genre?
- Except horror movies, all other genres.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- By far, invisibility and flying
Captained the Nagaland team to a bronze medal at the North East Games 2024.
Nagaland Districts
