DIMAPUR — Kevisanyü
Peseyie discovered his love for football at an early age and first played the
sport on muddy fields using improvised balls. Over the years, he has
established himself as a versatile player, adept in roles ranging from central
midfield and right-back to forward.
His career highlights include playing in the Thai League 3
and representing Siam FC Bangkok during the 2022-23 season, representing
Nagaland in the Santosh Trophy, and captaining the Nagaland team to a bronze
medal at the 2024 North East Games.
In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Kevisanyü discusses
his early life, the evolution of his football journey, and the practical steps
young players in Nagaland can take to pursue a professional career in the
sport.
Please tell us about
your early life and how you got interested in football.
I am Kevisanyu Peseyie (Sanyu), though many know me as
'Kevi’. I grew up in an all-boys family of five, raised by humble parents in a
village called Jotsoma, near Kohima. I completed my early schooling in the same
beautiful village before moving to Greenwood Higher Secondary School to finish
my pre-university studies. Later, I moved to the Indian capital to graduate
from Zakir Hussain Delhi College under Delhi University.
I have loved football since the first time I saw it and have
had a passion for the game since I was around 5 or 6 years old. Like any other
normal village boy, I mischievously behaved wherever I went. Interestingly, it
was during these times that I got to play football with friends in muddy, small
fields, using balls made of rags or bottles at school. I mostly spent time with
seniors and elders in the family and among friends, who also played the sport a
lot, which instinctively drew me closer to it.
I vividly remember watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup and how
my interest in the game grew alongside it. In all honesty, there wasn’t any
specific player who inspired me "to dream" or "to pursue"
football. It was simply a raw attachment to the sport and a genuine love for
it. The young me had already made peace with the thought that I would do
anything to play professional football and build a career out of it.
At Greenwood School, I was selected to play in the famous
Subroto Mukherjee International Football (U-14) tournament. When I moved to New
Delhi in 2016 for my graduation, I quickly enrolled in the Delhi United FC
Youth Team, where I was also selected to play in the HERO I-League U-18.
Balancing sports and academics was always a priority for me, and neither was
compromised. As a college student, I had opportunities to play in major
university championships, with the most notable being the Reliance Foundation
Youth Sports (All India), where my college team was crowned 'CHAMPIONS'.
My determination, despite all the challenges, led to
breakthroughs. I received a call to play for the then and now Delhi FC in the
Delhi State League for two seasons. In 2023, I went to Kolkata to play in the
prestigious Calcutta Football League. Later that year, I was given the
opportunity to play in the Thai League 3. It was a short stint, but I loved
every bit of it—what an experience! Without a shadow of a doubt, 2024 was the
biggest highlight of my career.
On a normal day at home, I received a call from Waisong, the
manager of Karbi Anglong Morning Star (KAMS) FC, and within the next few days,
I moved to Diphu to play in I-League 3. I typically prefer and usually operate
in a midfield position, but I can be used as a versatile player depending on
the coach's requirements. Interestingly, my coach at KAMS FC positioned me as a
false 9/striker, a role I never thought I’d play.
Twists and turns followed, and God made the coach use me in
that role. What a young, mischievous village boy could only dream of—I scored 8
goals in that campaign and became the highest scorer of I-League 3. This also
put the club in a strong position, and we collectively worked to earn a
promotion to I-League 2 in 2025. I received multiple offers from I-League 2 and
other I-League clubs, but my desire to play among our people, in our own
league, was always the ultimate goal.
What are the steps a
young person from Nagaland would need to take to pursue football as a career?
Embarking on a journey in football often begins in the
formative years of childhood. Introducing a child to football at a young age
can have a positive and significant impact on their overall development.
Therefore, enrolling in football schools or club academies would be the obvious
choice. However, as sad as it is, in Nagaland, such opportunities are few to non-existent.
While not necessarily limited to these, football programmes can also be set up
in institutions that offer such initiatives in a timely manner.
At what age should
one start football training if they aspire to go pro?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question
of the right age for a child to start football, engaging early offers a
multitude of physical and mental benefits. The right age for a child to start
depends on their developmental stage and ability to learn proper techniques.
What unique
challenges and opportunities do footballers in Nagaland face compared to those
in other parts of India?
No one can question the raw talent, gift, and ability of
Nagas in playing football. We are no different from the rest of the country,
and if anything, we are far more gifted. However, one can raise questions about
the platforms, infrastructure, and opportunities available to showcase this
talent. The chances of being recognised by outsiders are minimal or
non-existent, which hinders the path and presents major obstacles for people in
Nagaland.
How would you
describe the level of football in the Nagaland Super League, and what can it
offer aspiring players?
The level and competition in the NSL have definitely been of
a higher standard, as they should. However, credit must be given to the guest
players and guest management staff, as it is largely because of them that there
is a standard to the league. Nagaland football revolves within a very small
group, where players often face each other repeatedly within a short span of
time. I would rate the difficulty level as intermediate and the competition
level as good. It provides a great opportunity for young players to learn, gain
experience, and sharpen their skills in a professional league like the NSL.
During
North East Games 2024.
Could you share the
key skills and qualities that young players need to develop if they want to
pursue football professionally?
Development of motor skills, activities that improve
coordination, balance and agility. Learning to cooperate with teammates.
Understanding the importance of sportsmanship. Building relationships and
connections. Rest “practices after practices” in trainings.
How important is
formal training or enrolling in sports academies for those who want to build a
career in football?
Very important. Academies provide professional coaching,
age-appropriate training programmes, and a supportive environment. They focus
on developing specific skills, understanding the game, and providing a strong
foundation for a professional career. Through structured training sessions,
young athletes have the opportunity to develop their technical skills, game
intelligence, and physical capabilities.
What is your advice
to students balancing academics and sports? How can they excel in both?
Build a solid support system. Coaches, teachers, and parents
all have crucial roles to play and provide different forms of assistance.
Create a schedule, prioritise tasks, and set realistic goals. Communicate
effectively, and take breaks to rest.
Are there any heroes
or role models who inspired you when you were starting out?
There weren't any heroes who gloriously inspired me when I
was growing up. My dad was a state football player but didn’t necessarily
motivate me to be like him, to speak truthfully. However, I reckon it was also
because of him, and growing up in an all-boys family, that something inside me
drove me to play the sport.
What do you think is
the next big step for football development in Nagaland and the broader
northeast region?
With the NSL coming in, aimed at professionalising football
in Nagaland, it is hoped that it will bring about a shift in transforming both
the state and Indian football in general. Despite having many talented kids,
Nagaland has yet to meet expectations or make a significant impact in Indian
football. With Indian football at stake and often overshadowed by cricket, it
is crucial that regional and state leagues, like the NSL, continue to take
place and consistently drive change in the sport. Football, the most loved,
most played, and most watched sport in the world, is unfortunately well below
par in India.
In Nagaland, we need to start unearthing talent from every
corner, foster grassroots development, and rebuild the broken football and
sports culture. While the NSL will contribute to changing the sports landscape
and create new pathways, the focus must be on grassroots development. It is
vital to invest more money, energy, and time into creating academies that can
nurture young talent. You cannot study for Standard 5 without attending the
earlier grades.
What kind of support
system do you think students need—from family, friends, or institutions—to
pursue sports seriously?
Playing
in the Thai League 3.
It is very important to have a strong support system.
Contrary to society’s beliefs about football and those who play the game
professionally, financial stability and security are myths—footballers are
precarious workers with short careers. In Nagaland, we have yet to make a
significant impact, and so parents would understandably be sceptical about
encouraging their children to pursue football. However, a child’s dreams and
goals should not be hindered by anyone’s choices, not even parents.
Institutions must teach beyond mainstream education. There
is a vast world out there, and we need to think beyond our confines.
Extra-curricular programs focused on sports should be introduced, sports
activities should be organised regularly, exposure trips should be arranged,
and athletes should be encouraged to share their stories to inspire young minds.
What message would
you like to give to students who dream of becoming professional footballers?
It is only when a child or student reaches a critical
inflection point in their life that we must ask them: What do you want to do?
Do you dream of playing football and making a life out of it? Come forward,
young men and women. Leave your comfort zones and be ready to face challenges
and obstacles, for these will come more often than success.
I urge anyone who wants to pursue football to first and
foremost submit to God and allow Him to guide you. We are talking about
football, the biggest and richest sport industry, so our dreams and goals
should be just as grand. You never know what God has prepared for you, as He
already created you. Trust Him, put your faith in Him, and walk with Him
patiently and obediently. God has a plan and purpose for your life. He will
call you. Play football to the glory of God, and everything else in life will
follow.
RAPID INSIGHTS
If you could have
dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
If I were asked the same question a million times, my answer
would remain the same: I would have dinner with Jesus. He is the greatest
historical figure the world has ever known.
What's your favourite
movie genre?
Except horror movies, all other genres.
If you could have any
superpower, what would it be?
By far, invisibility and flying
Captained the Nagaland team to a bronze medal at the North
East Games 2024.
Football star Kevisanyü Peseyie speaks on pursuing a pro car
During
North East Games 2024.
Playing
in the Thai League 3.