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Players of Ziekezou SC train at IG Stadium Kohima as they prepare for the Kohima Football League 2017.[/caption]
Zhovezo Resu
Kohima, August 7 (EMN): Nagaland, despite being home to a football-loving populace for decades remain to bask in the glory of legendary footballer late Dr. T Ao while the state has failed to produce quality players in the national arena for decades.
Khwetelhi Thopi was the only player from Nagaland to play in the I-league (first division) on loan from Rangdajied United FC to I-League side Aizawl FC (2015–16) but it was just a short stay.
With the Kohima Football League (KFL) to kick off on August 9, the organisers have emphasised on creating an avenue for talented footballers to earn their livelihood and also hoped that starting a professional league would promote and develop the standard of football in Nagaland.
Khwetelhi Thopi, now a former player of Delhi United Football Club (2nd division) talking to Eastern Mirror said KFL is a good move taken by Kohima Town Club (KTC), where the club has given a platform for young players to take football as their profession. However he also stressed that the impact may not be that much as of now, it may take time but hoped that it will change year by year to make it into a complete professional league.
N. William Koso technical head KTC and former assistant coach Aizawl FC emphasised on the need to start from the base (grassroots). He said we are building the base, to have a properly constructed building it’s a must that you have a concrete foundation. Football is an all round development area so we need all the sections in the society to be a part of it to make it happen and grow, stated Koso.
There are many areas where we need to improve to say a few (infrastructure, employment opportunity) we need to reshape the state sports policy (if there is) Security and platform should be given to sportsman says Koso. He also mentioned that the first season may not be a huge turnout but can guarantee it will help the overall development of football.
Despite the league being announced that it would be played for one and half months, the organisers have shortened the duration and Koso says that they got the ground allocation only from August 7-31.
With the clubs based on the colony, the organisers stated that the club needs to have a fan base where the members of the colony as stakeholders and will be a sustainable venture in the long run.
On asked if KFL was a replacement for now defunct Nagaland Premier League, he said that they did not start because some have stopped, “we saw the need of the hour so we (KTC) decided to start with Kohima league. It was planned some years back but my commitment with clubs outside the state has somehow delayed”.
If they were to expand on the next edition, he said that they don't have the plan to expand in another district at the moment, but says they will give technical (main concern area) and logistic support to other district.
“We can't expect to bring changes without even a single league in the state. Hope it grows bigger and bigger and leaves a great impact on the Naga players. Since Nagaland Premier League failed this should be another stepping stone. Though it may be of high or low budget there should be competition level among the players/clubs says Tingnyek (Ating) Konyak a former player of Rangdajied United, Shillong.
Neitho Chalieu second goal keeper for Shillong Lajong FC lauded the initiative of KTC and anticipated that through the league many changes will come in our state. “We can survive professional league in our home, If our neighboring states are doing then we can also do, why not us, But if we don't change our present NFA we won't,” says Neitho.
Lavoriyi Theluo former player of FC Kerela and Guwahati FC maintained that the league will surely help the young and talented players to showcase their talents but since it is the first time every club managements are financially weak and struggling to get their sponsorship. But if it happens smoothly then this is will be a turning point for our state football.
The now defunct Nagaland Premier League was a short stay in Nagaland; can KFL restore Nagaland back to its glory days and find a place in Indian football with the new initiative?