For football fans in Mokokchung, it’s not all talk. Much has been stated and discussed in social and print media concerning sports and their poor infrastructure in Mokokchung and Nagaland. The district public ground’s appalling condition had been mocked, while disappointing results in the Dr. T. Ao Trophy and the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2022 had struck hard at the heart and spirit of Mokokchung sports fans.
However, it has been proven that there are individuals who are sincerely passionate about the game of football and who are truly committed and devoted to uplifting society through their noble contribution. Today, Mokokchung Times gives you one such story.
The Moanungsang Memorial Club, in collaboration with the Revenant Football Club, launched a Football Coaching Clinic in the first week of August this year in an effort to give proper coaching facilities to young football enthusiasts.
Moanungsang Memorial Club, founded in 2003, has been noted for training players from Mokokchung in the past and has also been the consecutive champions of MDFA in 2006 and 2007, among many others, while Revenant Football Club is the reigning champion of the first edition of Mokokchung Friday League.
The coaching clinic is still in operation, with Lanulemba Longchar from both clubs serving as manager, R Achi Ozukum as the main coach, and Litemmayang, Imosanen, Temsutoshi, Rongsennungba, and Tongpangkokba as assistant coaches, who recently passed the D Certificate examination under the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in Mokokchung, which was facilitated by MTBA.
Sentiyanger, owner of Unique Bakery and Town Town Hotel, as well as owner of Revenant Football Club, and N Jamonger Ao, Assistant Director, Food and Civil Supplies, Mokokchung are sponsoring the coaching clinic.
This initiative began with the awareness that no football coaching sessions were provided in Mokokchung, and it was also realized that the players lacked both mental aptitude and physical fitness.
They also noticed that, despite being merely seasonal players, some of Mokokchung’s players practically had the talent and gift for playing better, and that there were players that wanted to make football their profession and find a career in it.
“There are many opportunities in football in our generation, but most of our players are from rural backgrounds and are unable to obtain opportunities, go to tryouts, or receive adequate coaching sessions,” Lanu explained, mentioning that as the factor that brought them all together to start such an initiative.
Their passion for football inspired them to sacrifice their time and money to provide the younger generation of football fans in Mokokchung an opportunity they had never had before.
According to Lanulemba, they have even selected two teams from the Coaching Clinic to take part in the most anticipated tournament of the town – the MDFA tournament which is set to begin from October 11.
“Both the teams will again be sponsored by Sentiyanger along with donations from various individuals,” Lanu added.
Understanding that it takes time to develop one’s skill and potential to be a professional football player, the Coaching Clinic is set to continue for two years while they also plan to participate in various tournaments outside the district in the coming years.
“Our brother Sentiyanger is also planning to sponsor an Under – 20 football tournament by next year with an aim to promote the younger generation and to help them in realizing their talent in football at a young age,” Lanu disclosed.
“We hope and pray that more people will help and join this venture with us. What we have started is a first in Mokokchung. Our only aim is to uplift both the juniors as well as senior players of Mokokchung as a whole and not as a particular group or organization but for a common goal,” Lanu concluded.