Late start, early success: Laiwang Bohham’s football triumph

DIMAPUR — Despite beginning his football journey relatively late, 23-year-old Laiwang Bohham from Tizit town in Mon district of Nagaland has made a name for himself as a professional football player in India, specialising as a striker for Shillong Lajong FC.

Bohham disclosed that he only started playing football in 2016 when he joined the State Football Academy in Dimapur under the guidance of coach Mughato Aye, which marked the beginning of his footballing career. Following the termination of his contract with Gokulam FC, he signed a two-year contract with Shillong Lajong FC in July this year.

Bohham’s list of accomplishments includes two Delhi Premier League victories with Delhi FC, being the runner-up in the Kerala Premier League with Gokulam FC, winning the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Football Cup (2022) with Delhi FC, securing the Punjab State League with Delhi FC, and clinching the All India Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Cup with Delhi FC, among various others.

Before joining Shillong Lajong FC, Bohham had played for several clubs, including Gauhati Town Club, Caligat MS Kolkata, RBI Chennai, Minerva Academy Punjab, Delhi FC, and Gokulam Kerala FC.

In an interview with Eastern Mirror, Bohham shared that a career in football is marked by its fair share of ups and downs, disappointments and discouragements. However, the drive to find that one game, that one moment, and that one goal is what has kept him going.

He emphasised that giving his best has always been his priority, and he looks to the future with the same attitude, regardless of whether he reaches the pinnacle of the sport, saying, “God willing.”

Bohham also discussed his daily routine, which includes early morning training sessions after breakfast, a nap in the afternoon following lunch, an evening gym session, and rest after dinner.

Regarding the challenges faced by Nagas in the field of football, he pointed out that there is “nothing at the nurturing stage and no proper State initiated Leagues and infrastructure for the players who want to follow their dream into the world of football. He lamented that this lack of support creates a “glass ceiling” that holds them back.

“We see the world but cannot go through.”

When asked about his favourite club, Bohham expressed a deep emotional attachment to North East United, “a club born of the region that defines us all,” and competes at the highest level in the nation.

Looking ahead, he shared his aspiration to one day reflect on his career with pride, saying, “I wish to sit back and sigh with a smile someday and say ‘I did my best for my nation with the BLUE Tigers.’”

Bohham concluded with a reflection on the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams, emphasising the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. He stated, “Fighting till the end with the right attitude and determination is not easy, but what choices do we have? If there were easier ways, then no one would be working hard.”

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