Meet the first footballer from Nagaland to play in the Hero Indian League

He has been playing professional football for seven years; Thopi finished his graduation and opted to be a footballer rather than look for a lucrative job.

Khwetelhi Thopi, a 25-year-old from Chizami village under Phek district, became the first person from Nagaland to play in the I-league. On February 25 this year, Thopi moved to newly promoted I-League side Aizawl FC on loan from Rangdajied United for the remainder of the 2015–16 season. He was introduced as a winger for Aizawl in the I-League.

Thopi made his professional debut in the Indian first division three days later on 28 February against Bengaluru FC. “I am a full-time profession footballer now; by playing I earn money at the same time enjoying the beautiful game,” says Thopi in an interaction with Eastern Mirror. “Love God, love yourself, love football –this quote makes me a better player and a better person”.

Brought up from in a struggling family, his family members were never happy about his decision to play football as a career, they wanted him to study and get a secured job for his life, but Thopi says “my heart is always in football, so I decided to take football as my profession.”

Thopi narrates about his early struggles: “I have faced a lot of problems and difficulties, but I never stop working hard, my families were worried if I don’t make success in playing, but eventually after the little achievements I have to make until today, they are now happy, at the same time I’m happy to make them proud.”

Thopi has made headlines in local football tournament and the now-defunct Nagaland Premier League, when he played for Life Sports, Kohima Komets and Veda FC. He also played a major role for his first club, Life Sports Football Club to win the Classic Cup and NSF Martyr’s trophy in 2012.

The double-success was repeated the next year, when he won the Classic Cup with Kohima Komets and the NPL while playing for Veda FC. Thopi was also adjudged as the NPL’s player of the year that season. He has represented Nagaland three times in Santosh trophy.

The interaction also, naturally, turned to his view on Naga footballers. “Naga footballers are very talented, we are not different from others state, but it’s sad to say that our Naga football is at risk.

“Only the best and those who really works hard will get a chance to play outside the state, as in Nagaland there is no state league, no proper grassroots development, no professional clubs, these are the reasons we can’t expose our young Naga talents, at the same time it’s difficult to compete at the top level.

“Nagaland is a football crazy state where people enjoy the beautiful game but in spite of being a football-loving state we are far behind from other states. It’s sad that we don’t have proper infrastructure to train the players, our government and Nagaland Football Association are quiet.

On concerns about the football grounds in Nagaland, Thopi was unequivocal: “Till now we don’t have a single artificial turf ground, where other states have three or four. I believe if we have the same facilities, we can compete with anyone”.

On his experience in the I-league, Thopi said ‘it was dreams come true, I have worked hard for many years and was waiting for one such big opportunity. I was very happy when Aizawl FC called me for I-league, it was a privilege for me to play country top league.

“I consider myself lucky because there are thousands of player dreaming of playing Hero Indian league, though I didn’t play many matches, yet it was a good experience for me, playing with top Indian and foreign players, I have learnt many things and gained a lot of experience as it was my first time on a big stage.”

He also reflects on his current assignment after returning to Rangdajied United FC. “Now I’m back to my old club Rangdajied United FC, preparing for Shillong Super League which is going to start very soon, preparations are going well, looking forward to winning the league this season, after Shillong league is over, I will give my best to get in I-league clubs, playing for ISL is my dream and if it’s God’s will, play for India one day.”

To the youngsters, Thopi has this to say: “Football has good scope, but very few people know it back home. I want to encourage the upcoming footballers back at home in our state to make football as their profession, because it has many scopes.

“By playing professional football we can earn good money within a short span of time, by playing good football it’s also easy to get government jobs as there is sport reservation quota for the players having national certificates. This year it’s good to see many of my friends who have started playing outside the state, hoping we can make a change one day.” Thopi also wants to become a football coach when he retires.

On his concluding note, Thopi says “my message to my upcoming footballers back home who wants to become a professional footballer one day, you need to have this thing. Football is not an easy profession, one needs to work really hard, discipline is most important and also you need to have the determination to achieve your goal. And most importantly, pray to God, if you have this quality I believe you will become a good footballer one day.”