Young footballers in Noklak district chase big dreams on hard ground

Shongmo BNoklak | October 12In Noklak district, young boys gather every evening at the local ground with football boots and a ball to practice. It looks like an ordinary sight, but each practice on the hard, rough ground carries a dream, to become a better player and, one day, to have a better football ground.The local ground in Noklak is rarely empty, especially during football tournaments organised by various organisations throughout the year. The same is true across villages, where the football season takes over at year’s end. These competitions not only bring communities together but also give young talents a platform to showcase their abilities.The recently concluded 4th edition of the FAND Cup in Noklak district demonstrated the district’s passion for football, drawing 17 teams. The tournament saw great enthusiasm not only from players but also from thousands of spectators who came daily to cheer for their favourite teams.Long before the cup begins, football fever grips the players as they form teams, arrange coaches and managers, and plan accommodation and expenses for the month-long tournament. Financial planning becomes essential as teams work to meet the demands of the event.Once the tournament kicks off, every doorstep becomes a topic of conversation across the district—”Today’s football match,” “favourite player,” “team performances” and more.Clubs and teams come from villages near and far across the district to take part. Behind the enthusiasm, however, lie greater challenges: the need for a better football ground and financial support to help local players develop their talents and skills.FAND President Okie told The Morung Express that the association is working to promote local football talent at the state level. He said the participation of young players in the FAND Cup reflects football’s potential to grow in Noklak.Expressing confidence in the young players, he said they have the potential to progress in the sport. He also highlighted their natural stamina and physical endurance, which he attributed partly to their daily activities and hard work.Okie stressed that a turf ground in Noklak would significantly boost interest in football and inspire greater determination among aspiring players.“Once we have a turf ground, I have hope that we can lift trophies like Dr T Ao,” he said.For many aspiring footballers in Noklak, formal coaching remains largely inaccessible. They rely instead on natural ability, self-practice and skills developed through regular play, shaped further by their daily activities and manual work.These qualities lay a strong foundation for their footballing potential. However, access to professional coaching and proper training facilities could help them refine their skills and techniques and compete more effectively at higher levels.Longkhoi K, a young footballer from Noklak district who has represented Nagaland at national-level competitions, highlighted the significant difference between playing on a turf ground and a hard ground.“There is a big difference between playing on a turf ground and a hard ground. There is a higher risk of injuries when playing on a hard ground,” he said.He said a turf ground allows players to handle the ball more smoothly. While acknowledging the opportunities available for footballers, he pointed out that financial support remains a major challenge for aspiring players in the district. He stressed the need for better support so local talents can develop their skills and pursue football at higher levels.Longkhoi’s own journey reflects a promising player emerging from a remote area. He represented Nagaland in the 2nd Dr T Ao Centenary NEC International Gold Cup Football Championship Under-21 2019, held from February 19–28, 2019 in Guwahati, Assam. He also represented Nagaland in the National Football Championship for the Hero Santosh Trophy 2019–20, competing in the Northeast Qualifying Round held from September 22–27, 2019 in Agartala, Tripura. He played for Frontier Warrior FC in the Nagaland Super League, held from January 28 to April 1, 2025 across Nagaland.Nokmei Society Lengnyu (NSL), the three-time defending champions of the FAND Cup, shared the challenges they faced in preparing for the tournament. The team said they spent considerable time preparing with the aim of reclaiming the title for the third consecutive time.Highlighting the difficulties of playing on different surfaces, the players said practising on the hard, rough local ground before competing on turf grounds in tournaments such as the Dr T Ao tournament puts them at a disadvantage.“We practise on this hard, rough ground and then play the actual game on a turf ground in tournaments like Dr T Ao. It is hard to compete with other players,” they said.As the FAND Cup draws growing interest, a vast gap remains between their dreams and reality. Will Noklak get its turf ground, or will its talents play on the same challenging grounds as generations before?