EMN
KOHIMA, AUGUST 24
HAILING from a rural helmet of Chizami village under Phek district, Khwtelhi Thopi had a dream. He wanted to play in a big football club of the country since his school days and nourished the dream till did his graduation. His ambition became a reality as the 24-year-old, known as Thopi inked a five-month deal with Rangdajied Football Club Shillong on August 5. He is one of the few Naga players who is all set to don the jersey of big football clubs in the country. The trails for the team started on July 24 and finally Thopi was rewarded for his hard work on August 5, when the team management called him to sign the dotted line. “I will give my best with my new team” asserted Thopi and assured to live to the expectation of his new team. Rangdajied Football Club, Shillong is one of the three clubs from Shillong currently playing in Indian Football league. Thopi journey as footballer started when the young lad played football at village level and later in school days and emerged as one of the dark horse of his school Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Chizami till passed out his Class X in 2006 . He also donned his college jersey to play in various college level meet. He graduated from Baptist College in 2012. Thopi also made headlines in local football tournament and Nagaland Premier League, when he played for the Life Sports/ Kohima Komets and Veda FC. He also played a major role for his first club – Life Sports Football Club to win Classic Cup and NSF Martyr’s trophy in 2012. A sheer and hard worker in the game of football play on his favourite position Right half back, but can be helpful with his over-lapings from one corner to other. “I can also play in left defence position, which my coach prefer, but my favourite in play right back position” in a Facebook interview. Thopi played for Kohima Komets in 2013, which won the Classic. Later he joined Veda FC in later part of 2013, which his new team eventually winning the Nagaland Premier League. To his credit he also played for Nagaland team in Santosh trophy three times. Asked his personal opinion can how best would be north east to grow in football and should we have a north east league ?, Thopi said “I think north east league should start, as there will be more competitive and professional among t clubs in their respective state, to qualify for the North East League”. “At the same time it give chance for many player’s to expose themselves to play in big clubs”, he added.
