Niuland Coach Kivilu Kiba reflects on Nagaland’s football
As the cheers from the recently concluded Dr T Ao Trophy 2025 slowly fade, a sobering reality sets in for Nagaland football: once the final whistle is blown, most players return to their daily lives, with only a handful pursuing football seriously.
Niuland coach Kivilu K Kiba told Mokokchung Times that the challenges go beyond infrastructure. Kiba, who holds a degree in Physical Education (BPE and BPEd), has also completed the one year high intense course of Diploma in Sports Coaching from NSNIS SAI, Kolkata. He is an AIFF ‘D’ and AFC ‘C’ License holder, and is additionally qualified in athletics, having completed the District Technical Official course.
Sharing his experience with the Niuland team at this year’s tournament, Kiba said, “I really want to give credit to my players. It was difficult at first because our players had really good profiles but many of them were out of touch with football, many were on the verge of retirement. But they all performed very well.”
Speaking on his goal as a coach, he explained, “Usually, my ultimate goal has never been to win just the local tournament but I want to take my players to the next level. I remember telling my team in the beginning that I am challenging you – by the end of the tournament, you’ll find yourself improved – and I believe they actually did.”
“It’s a privilege to train senior players, but at the same time, I enjoy training the younger ones even more as that way we can mould them into becoming better and help them reach the next level,” he added.
When asked about the challenges faced by the football fraternity in Nagaland, Kiba reflected on a deeper concern. “Players put their heart into the tournament, but after it ends, they go back to studies, jobs, or other responsibilities. Only a few continue with football. The question that keeps striking me is, ‘Where do we go after Dr T Ao Trophy?’ I don’t want it to be the end. I want my players to keep going.”
He also highlighted a cultural barrier. “Even when talent exists, many Nagas do not take sports seriously as a career. Football, athletics, or other sports are seen more as hobbies than professions. Parents and players alike hesitate to commit fully.”
Kiba pointed to structural gaps that worsen the issue. “We lack proper academies, professional clubs, and consistent scouting. Even talented players often fade because there’s no support system,” he explained.
He lamented that footballers in Nagaland often undergo only 10–15 days of intense training before a tournament and then lack continuity. “As a coach, I want players to keep growing and reach the top. Tournaments here, though prestigious, are still too small compared to the I-League, ISL, or U-20 national championship. Winning one or two state-level tournaments shouldn’t be the end.”
Stressing the role of coaches, Kiba said, “One good coach can produce 5–10 players, and from that 5–10, the growth multiplies. Coaches are crucial for developing a sustainable football ecosystem.”
Without structural reforms and a cultural shift toward treating sports as a viable career, Kiba warns that Nagaland’s footballers may continue to shine brightly in tournaments and fade quickly afterward.
While Nagaland has produced flashes of footballing talent, the state still lacks a proper system to sustain and develop players. There are few clubs and no consistent leagues, although the recent introduction of the Nagaland Super League, now preparing for its second season, is a step forward.
During one of the Dr T Ao Trophy 2025 matches, commentator Joel Williams, who has been associated with Nagaland football since the Nagaland Football Association partnered with SportsCast in 2022 to broadcast games on YouTube, noted that the state’s football often shows moments of quality and talent but lacks consistency. “Nagaland football often has flashes of brilliance and skill, but the overall quality of play continues to fall short,” he said during his commentary.
Both Kiba and Williams stressed that developing Nagaland football requires year-round leagues, proper clubs, and a cultural shift toward treating sports as a viable career. Without these, moments of brilliance may continue to shine and fade too quickly.