Renowned goalkeeper Kelethuto Khazo passes away at 52 in Kohima

KOHIMA — Kelethuto Khazo, 52, a celebrated goalkeeper from Nagaland’s Jakhama village who notably represented the victorious Indian football team (U-16) during the Jigme King Dorji Memorial Gold Cup in Thimphu, Bhutan, in 1993, died on Wednesday in Kohima.

Khazo, who also wore the national colours during an international football event in Israel in 1994, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima following a 22-day hospitalisation.

The final rites were conducted by Rev. Zapovil Sophie, senior pastor of JBC, at Jakhama village. Khazo is survived by his wife and nine children—five daughters and four sons.

His journey included participation in the National Sports Talent Contest Football (1986), YUBA Bharat KiranganCulcutta (1988), the National Football Championship of India (1989), and the 35th School Games Federation of India in Madhya Pradesh.

Khazo displayed his prowess at the Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament in New Delhi (1989, 1990, 1992, and 1993), the Junior National Football Championship of India (1990), the North-Eastern States Fraternity Football Gold Cup (1991), the 7th Sports Festival for the North-East Region (1992), and the 7th Sports Festival Football (1993).

He also competed in the 3rd North-Eastern States Fraternity Gold Cup in 1993 and the 37th National School Games (U-17).

Khazo’s sporting versatility extended beyond football. As a dual-sport athlete, he competed in the National Sports Talent Contest Wrestling in New Delhi (1986), the All India Rural Sports at Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (1986), the 32nd National School Games Wrestling (1987), and the 3rd Sports Festival for the North-East Region (1989).

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