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KOHIMA — Trails for Nagaland’s next top player for Thonburi United were conducted at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) in Kohima on Tuesday through the initiative of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and Progressive Sports Consultant.
The finalisation of the players is scheduled for April 3.
Thonburi United Football Club is a Thai football club based in Bangkok, Thailand and managed by Thonburi University. The club is currently competing in the Thai League 3 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
During the occasion, a brief programme was held with the development commissioner and principal secretary, R Ramakrishnan, as the special guest.
Ramakrishnan, in his speech, expressed delight about the arrival of the team from Thonburi University and remarked that it marked a new beginning in the sports arena, complementing the various other sports activities in the state.
He pointed out that the Department of Youth Resources and Sports has been undertaking numerous activities to promote sports in the state, including infrastructural development and observed that, with the exception of a few individuals, the state has not produced quality players at the international and national levels.
He, however, hoped that initiatives like Nagaland's Next Top Player would provide the needed exposure to players, which is an excellent opportunity. He advised the players to make the most of the opportunity, expressing hope that such initiatives will encourage more players to join other clubs.
In his speech, Kanabuadee Yamchuti, manager of Thonburi United and sports director of Thonburi University, thanked the department for organising and making the event possible. He expressed hope that the event would strengthen Nagaland-Thailand relations and preserve the brotherhood.
Yamchuti stated that Thonburi United would select a player from the state and the selected player would be offered a professional contract with Thonburi United, a team that competes in the Thai League. Regarding the contract, he mentioned a monthly salary of INR 20,000, inclusive of accommodations and round-trip airfare tickets.
K Neibou Sekhose, president of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), expressed gratitude to Thonburi United for their support to the state. He also commended the department for facilitating opportunities for players. Sekhose expressed optimism that this new venture would elevate Nagaland's presence on the national and global sports stage.
Meanwhile, Kethosituo Sekhose, director of Youth Resources and Sports, stated that Tuesday’s event marked the beginning of various programmes planned by the department for the current financial year 2024–25.
He said that a total of 26 events have been planned, distinct from the activities organised by other sister organisations and sports associations.
Sekhose also announced that four women's teams would be playing futsal at Akim Astro Turf in Kohima on April 2 and 3 to showcase their talents to the Thonburi United team, and that if the players performed well, they would be given the opportunity to play for Thonburi United as well as study at Thonburi University on scholarships.