Naga footballer to play in Sweden

After a long selection procedure at Delhi in May, Lanvungthung Khuvung was selected by the Real Sports Association to play as striker at Gothia Cup Sweden which has been scheduled to be held from July 17 to 24 this year.

The association spotted the potential of this 20-year-old Naga youth, couple of years back when he was playing for the under-18 Nationals as captain of Sagar School Rajasthan. In that game he produced a man-of-the-match performance.

 Lanvungthung Khuvung is the son of late AE Lotha, the former Special Secretary to the NLA, and currently pursuing degree education at Christ University Bangalore. On Wednesday, Eastern Mirror had an interaction with the player.    

Though he started playing at the age of 10, Khuvung did not join any clubs because of the “hectic schedule in college.”

Asked how he got selected for the Gothia Cup Sweden this year, Khuvung said: “I had a friend who knew me personally, a close friend, so he told me about the selection process that was held in Delhi and told me to give it a try. So I took the opportunity and by the grace of God I got selected”.

Some famous names that have risen to global stardom through the platform of Gothia Cup include Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso and Yaya Toure. Khuvung shared that getting selected to represent the country at this year’s Gothia Cup was his biggest achievement yet.  

He cited his father as his inspiration. “Not only in football but as a whole. He was very dedicated to his work, never had any complaints even though he had so many problems and he always had time for family.” His other source of motivation was the Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, he shared. “Ronaldo showed us football is all about dedication and hard work”.

On football as his career, Khuvung said: “Till now I have not decided. Later on, if God makes way for me and I get chance to play in big stages, I will make it as a career”. As of now, he said, his family was not supporting him in choosing a career in football.   

He was also queried on the possible problems that hinder growth of football in Nagaland. “First of all, lack of facilities as we can see there are no proper grounds, equipments etc. I feel there is no dedication from the players because other states are literally growing in football, playing in big stages where as in Nagaland there are hardly or not even one who plays in big stages like the ISL.

“So I feel we Nagas should be more dedicated and hard working. It is the key, as we all know we are very talented,” he remarked. At the Gothia Cup this year, he informed: “Team India is our team name for Real Sports Association/Academy. It is affiliated to the All India Football Association. Real Sports Academy has produced star players and talent where many are playing in Indian Super league and Indain League.”

Also, Khuvung had this to say to the youngsters and aspiring footballers in the state: “We are very talented and gifted so don't just waste it, give effort and hard work will surely pay off”.