Kohima Football League hopes to restore Nagaland’s pride

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 17 (EMN): The Kohima Football League, 2017 was officially launched at Where is The Food (WTF) Naga Diner, near Cathedral Church, Kohima on Saturday. The league is being organised by Kohima Town Club (KTC) registered under Kohima District Football Association played under the aegis of Nagaland Football Association.
The league matches will begin at Kohima local ground in the month of July however the dates were yet to be confirmed. Two matches will be played on a daily basis for about a month and a half, further 40 % of the daily revenue (10 % each to all the 4 teams) will be shared with the local clubs per match.Dr. Viketuolie Pienyu, club president addressing the media said the league was colony based as it was necessary to have a fan base and with all the members of the colony as stakeholders. He also said colony based will be a sustainable venture in the long run.
The league will provide the opportunity to all talented players to play competitive football at a professional level as well as provide the platform for the players to springboard to higher clubs in India, Dr. Viketuolie Pienyu stated.
He further mentioned that Nagaland football has declined due to lack of infrastructures (standard grounds), lack of comprehensive policy for football development, lack of political will, lack of financial resources and lack of professional league.
So with the motive to promote local players, the organisers stated that Kohima Town Club (KTC) has decided to take the initiative by starting a professional league to promote the game as well as develop the standard of football. The Kohima Town Club (KTC) will also focus on promoting club culture and professionalism in the players.
With the state currently going through a serious unemployment crisis, the organisers anticipated that the league will create an avenue for talented footballers to earn their livelihood and also hoped to restore Nagaland back to its glory days and find a place in Indian football with the new initiative.
William Koso, the technical head KTC, former assistant coach of Aizawl FC, D certificated AIFF instructor and the technical director of NFCA said the league will strictly follow All India Football Federation (AIFF) rules and that the team coaches should have at least coaching certificate from AIFF.
Koss warned the clubs that the outside players from the state should meet the criteria from AIFF to join the teams in Kohima and maintained that the league will run in a systematic manner.
He also suggested that the league leader for this year edition may get a slot for 2nd Division I-League playoff (where the team will play the qualifying matches) if the Kohima Football League gets recognised by AIFF.
So far 8 teams have registered out of 10 colonies namely United 16 FC Kohima, Forerunners FC Thizama, Khriekesa FC Meriema, Power Comm FC Kohima, New Market FC Kohima, Ziekezuo FC Kohima, Nagabazar Kohima, Addax FC D Khel.
The Kohima Town Club (KTC) was formed on December 1, 2016 under the motto, “For the Community, for the Game” consists of 18 members.