Born in 1988 and popularly known as ‘Shalo’ is from Sendenyu village. He started playing football from a very young age and plays as a striker. He has been playing in all parts of Nagaland and beyond for more than a decade and has played in almost all major tournaments in the state.

 

As a player he primarily plays for Vanguard FC Tseminyu. He has won many individual and team accolades with clubs like Vanguard FC Tseminyu, Kohima Komets, Life Sports, Sechü Zubza, Doyang FC, New Market FC, Senapati among others. He has also represented Nagaland in numerous occasions including Santosh Trophy, Subroto Cup and North East Dr T Ao Memorial Trophy.

 

As a coach, he is an AIFF D License holder and has also won the best coach award in the Kohima Football League 2019. He is the Coach of Vanguard FC Tseminyu and Vanguard Academy.

 

Raised in a family that loves football, Yhunshalo Kemp has matured into an excellent player who catches the eyes of spectators whenever and wherever he plays. Scoring a goal is the hardest part of football but his striking ability to hit the back of the net with ease has earned him the moniker ‘Goal scoring machine’ among his fans and football lovers.

 

The forward attacking player who enjoys playing closest to the opponents’ goal is a deft and skillful footballer many young players look up to.

 

Apart from playing for various football clubs across Nagaland, he has also played at the 68th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy in 2014.
His most recent feat was the highest scorer award in the 21st NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy 2021, Kohima where he scored 15 goals.

 

 

As he stands with seven goals to his name in this present tournament, the highest so far, Mokokchung Times tried to catch up with him for a brief chat. Kemp was kind enough to share with us and our readers a few answers to our questions despite his tight schedule and his quarter final game coming up the next day.

 

 

MTimes: Hi Shalo, what has been your experience like in this tournament playing in Mokokchung?
Shalo Kemp: Mokokchung has been one place where I have played a lot of tournaments for teams like Dilong FC, Intermingle FC, Shooting Star FC and others for more than a decade and I have always enjoyed playing in Mokokchung.

 

 

MTimes: You’ve already scored 7 goals in just three games. How are you feeling about it and what are your thoughts about your performance so far?
Shalo Kemp: Well, we work as a team so the credit for my goals goes to my trusted teammates.

 

 

MTimes: How prepared are you for the quarters? Did you take any special coaching for this tournament?
Shalo Kemp: I am confident in my team and the experience of my teammates in playing crucial matches. So, we are looking forward to a good result.
Yes, we trained for 2 weeks in a training camp at Tseminyu for the tournament

 

 

MTimes: What would winning this trophy mean for you?
Shalo Kemp: Winning this tournament will not be just another trophy but historic for Tseminyu so it will mean more than a trophy.

 

 

MTimes: Kindly walk us through how you got into football and how you decided that football is the way forward for you.
Shalo Kemp: My family is a family that loves football. My dad himself was a footballer and therefore all my siblings got involved in the beautiful game. The passion and love for the game took me to football.

 

MTimes: What do you think Nagaland should do to raise Nagaland’s football to a higher level?
Shalo Kemp: I believe grassroots development is the key.

 

 

MTimes: Which team has impressed you the most so far?
Shalo Kemp: The likes of Dimapur, Phek, Mon, Peren and Kohima are doing quite well so far.

 

 

MTimes: A message or an advice for someone who is aspiring to become a footballer.
Shalo Kemp: My simple advice to aspiring footballers will be to begin with discipline and hard work in their career.

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