Laloureiyang Panmei, popularly known as Aloumei Panmei, was last seen in the finals of the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2022 football event where he scored and assisted the Dimapur team to become the Champions. He was also last interviewed by Mokokchung Times before his final match against Tseminyu, and he admits, “During those days, little did I know, such a great opportunity would ever come to me.”
The contract with Gokulam FC in Kerala is for three seasons starting from 1st October 2022- 31st May 2025.
The story of Aloumei’s love for football begins in Jalukie where he would sneak his playing boots in his tuition bag and once his tuition classes were over, he would rush to the ground, take the boots out of his bag and join the football game. Such was his passion and love for football as a kid.
Then came 2012 where he moved to Dimapur to enroll himself in the State Sports Academy with support from his parents and his elder brother, who was also a well-known footballer in the state. Aloumei credits his brother with teaching him how to play football and serving as an inspiration, recalling how his brother would give him his old play boots.
According to Aloumei, his stay at SSA was made easier by ‘Sir Mughato Aye’, to whom he is still grateful and regarded as his best mentor and guide.
From there on, Aloumei went on to play for Barak FC in Kohima Super Cup where the club ended up as runners up under his captainship. Then in 2022, he was seen playing for Dr. T. Ao Trophy in Mokokchung and finally at Nagaland Olympic Association where he was phenomenal.
Expressing his moment of disbelief, he narrates, “When Mokokchung Times reached out for the interview with me during the Olympics, I was really surprised because there were so many better players than me. I really want to thank you guys for giving me the platform. And then after we won the final in the Olympics, just after a few days, NFA vice-president, sir Colo Mero texted me saying that Joel Williams wants to talk to me. I wondered why Joel would want to talk to me. I thought maybe he wanted to ask me something about the team. But when I got to talk with Joel, he gave me the greatest news I could ever imagine.”
“I really want to thank Dimapur District Football Association (DDFA) and Coach Brando for giving me an opportunity to play in the district level. And I really want to thank God from the bottom of my heart because I believe he opened the door for me. But none of this would have happened if Joel had not recommended my name,” Aloumei stated.
Talking to Mokokchung Times, Joel, who scouted the young player and actually is responsible for signing him for Gokulam FC says, “I got a call from the management asking if I found any interesting players from Nagaland and I was like, heck yes. And then I recommended Aloumei because I love his style of football and his composure towards the football. He was a standout forward in the Olympics. And most importantly, he was consistent. And in football, consistency is what everyone looks for.” Joel Richard Williams from Gibraltar is a professional football coach and commentator. He is the current coach of Gokulam FC, Kerala.
As Aloumei finally finds himself as a professional player, he is still in a moment of disbelief. “I just want to say, never doubt yourself. Because, God will always find a way for you when you work hard. I seriously am in disbelief even now because I was not even a second division player. If you would recall, you guys did not notice me in Dr. T. Ao trophy and I never considered myself as a professional level player. It was only in the Olympics, you guys reached out and just after a few days, here I am. So, if something like this can happen to me, it can happen to everyone,” the forward player shared.
Speaking about whether footballers in Nagaland are finding more opportunities lately, he says, “Earlier, there was no scope at all but I believe times are changing and NFA is trying their best to provide a platform to the sportspersons these days. So, I believe there is better hope and opportunities for upcoming players these days.”
Joel also admitted that since the Nagaland Premier League is reportedly arriving soon, he looks forward to choosing more players from Nagaland in the future.
Meanwhile, Aloumei will be sharing the same agent as James Kithan who is also with Gokulam FC as the goalkeeper.
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