Kohima Bureau
Kohima, April 21 (EMN): The second edition of the Kohima Football League (KFL) is scheduled to kick-off on May 17 at Kohima local ground. The month-long soccer league, being organised by the Kohima Town Club (KTC), would conclude on June 20.
This was announced during the launching programme of the KFL 2018 on Saturday at WTF, New Ministers’ Hill, Kohima. The unveiling of the KFL Cup was formally done by Kovi Meyase, joint secretary of department of land resources, as launching patron in the presence of KTC president Dr. Viketuolie Pienyü. It may be mentioned that the second edition of KFL was earlier scheduled to begin on April 25 but was later postponed to May 17 due to unavoidable circumstances, KTC members informed.
A total of eight teams would be participating in this year’s edition including last year’s champions Ziekezou Sporting Club and runners-up New Market FC. United 16 FC and Khriekesa FC, the two teams which were placed third and fourth in the previous edition along with Nagabazar FC, another team of the first KFL edition, would also be competing in the league again.
Three teams which opted out of the league were Addax FC, Powercomm FC and Forerunners FC, while Vanguard FC, Sechii Zubza FC and Twenty XI FC are the three new teams which will be making their debut.
Since its inception, the KFL has seen its success as one of its player Kevisalie Sechü, who played for New Market FC in the last edition, is now playing for a Chennai-based club – Reserve Bank of India at the Chennai senior league division. This was informed by Xavier Rutsa in his introductory address during the launching programme.
In his address, Kovi Meyase lauded the KTC for their timely initiative and urged the club members to continue with greater efforts to improve the standard of football in the State.
“Sports is no longer a physical or social activity, but it has become a big industry, where there is gainful employment if one is committed and serious,” Meyase asserted while he also encouraged the participating clubs to avail the best of the opportunities that comes their way.
“Through this league, let us make it a launching pad for the youth to exhibit their talents,” Meyase said mentioning that “there are some fundamentals really not in place in the field of sports in the state.”
Delivering the presidential address, KTC president Pienyü said the KFL was introduced with the aim to develop football as the grassroots and further to bring about a significant change by instilling the sense professionalism in this field of sports.
“Through the KFL, we want to create a platform for our players and further to improve the standard of football in the State,” Pienyü said adding “we want to trigger a series of reaction in other parts of Nagaland.”
Kohima Town Club was formed on 1st December, 2016 with the motto “For the Community, for the Game.” It is a group of likeminded sports personalities and enthusiasts.
