Khwetelhi Thopi; the first Naga footballer to taste the glory of I-League

He has been playing professional football for seven years; Thopi finished his graduation and opted to be a footballer other than looking 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 I-League. “Love God, love yourself, love football this quote makes me a better player and a better person,” says Thopi an Indian professional footballer.

On February 25 this year, Thopi moved to newly promoted I-League side Aizawl 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.

Brought up from a poor family background, his family member were never happy about his decision to play football as a career, they want 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 Nagaland Premier League when he played for the 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. He also retained the Classic Cup for Kohima Komets in the year 2013, and he went on to claimed the Nagaland Premier League  trophy for Veda FC in the same year, during the same  tournament he was acclaimed as the player of the year , Thopi also has represented Nagaland state three times for Santosh trophy.

Speaking  on the views about Naga Footballers, Thopi said “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 is the reason we can’t expose our young Naga talents, at the same time it’s difficult to compete at the top level. “

“Nagaland is a craze football state where people enjoy the beautiful game but in spite of football-loving state we are far behind from another state, it’s sad that we don’t have proper infrastructure to train the players, our Government and Nagaland football association are quiet.

On concern about the Nagaland home grounds, Thopi ignited “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 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 call 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 Indian and foreign top players, I have learnt many things and gained a lot of experience as it was my first time on a big stage.’

‘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 its Gods will play for India one day. ‘

On his note to the youngsters, Thopi said “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 job 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 said “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 need to work really hard, discipline is the most important and also you need to have the determination to achieve your goal and most important pray to God, if u have this quality I believe you will become a good footballer one day.

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Dipa Karmakar’s hunt for glory of gold continues

Dipa Karmakar, a 23-year-old hailing from Agartala in Tripura, a small state of the northeast region, is the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics and first entry for India ever since 1964.

 

Credit: AP

The Northeast lady fought against all odds to win the heart of billions, indeed she was just an ordinary lady before the Rio Olympic started. She wasn’t new to the Indian industry so called “Sports Athletes”. She qualified on April 18th, 2016 and became the 1st ever Indian lady gymnast to qualify for an Olympics after she entered the final of a Test event at Rio De Janerio with a score of 52.698. She earned her ticket to go to Rio and a chance to win the Rio Olympics. 

Dipa not only wrote history for herself, but also for her state and the entire Northeast region as a whole, she also proved that nothing is impossible when it comes to sheer of hard work and commitment.  She also set a reminder to the nation that Northeast can produce a quality sportsperson if they were trained well enough with better facilities. 

Before the Olympic, she was rarely known to people except in Tripura, nobody would even bother or hear the name Dipa Karmakar until she made to the final after finishing 8th in the qualifying round a score of 52.698 points. This year India has fielded its largest-ever contingent at the Olympic Games in Rio with a total of 118 and was even expecting double digits in the medals.

 

Credit: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb/msid-53701974,width-400,resizemode-4/53701974.jpg

But the disappointment of the Indian Olympics in Rio vows out, as the shooter, the archers, and the athletes got knockout easily. Even the big names like Leander Peas, Saina, Abhinav couldn’t win a medal for India, one after the other, the Indian Olympics athletics failed. Out of nowhere, Dipa became the centre attraction for India, made headlines in the entire country.

 She became a Gandhian to break all the taboos from a Hindu to a Muslim to a Christian. They came together to support and watched Dipa final wherever they are. All eyes were set on her during the eve of Independence Day, for the girl to win a medal for India in the final round of the gymnastic. Dipa became the only hope of the nation as India looked to celebrate its 70th Independence Day.

But during the final, as she stood up on the stage, we could see her nervousness, the burden, the shame, the agony, the pain she was carrying all for India to win a medal on day 9.

She performed

Dipa performing produnova vault
Credit: http://data1.ibtimes.co.in/cache-img-0-450/en/full/605172/1461061377_dipa-karmakar.jpg

Produnova vault (vault of death) that was renamed after Russian gymnast Yelena Produnova in order to make sure that she gets a medal home. Yes, she perfected the move but her landing was not good enough and ended up with a total score of 15.066 that put her in the second spot temporarily for some time. But sadly Russia's Maria Paseka and USA's Simone Biles pull her down to fourth. She indeed narrowly missing out on India's first medal in this edition.

Yet this was not much bitter as the medal drought continues for India in Rio.

After the event, Karmakar told the media person from India: “My target is gold for life.” She continues to dream for gold at the next Olympics.

After the event, Abhinav Bindra tweeted “Dipa Karmakar, you are my hero".  "Thank you #DipaKarmakar for getting us united at midnight cheering for Gymnastics, in a country with no infrastructure for this sport," said cricketer Virender Sehwag. "Super proud".

Virender event requested Modi to consider a special plane or train after her name.

“I would request Hon’ble PM Narendra Modiji to consider naming a special plane & a train after these two young athletes (even if it is a special for a few days and at the cost of not causing confusion) which in a way will encourage parents and inspire many youngsters to take up less popular sports as a career,” Virender Sehwag tweeted.

Her new chapter has just begun as she continues to inspire young people of her age to kept dreaming about what they want to do in life.

Adding to the climax of the story even relates to Mary Kom, a mother and a boxer who was a five-time champion but was never under the radar of mainstream media until London Olympics where she won a bronze medal and got promoted eventually.

This tale isn’t just the end for Northeast or India in gearing up athletes; India has its potential but has borne no fruits.  The story continues on and on as we move on.  

Northeast athletes represent India’s hopes at Rio Olympics

Of the 120 sportspersons representing India at the ongoing Olympics in Brazil, eight athletes are from northeast India. Doing the region proud is weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (women’s 48kg), Laishram Bombayla Devi (women’s archery), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Anuradha Thokchom (women’s field hockey), Khadangbam Kothajit and Chinglensana

Kangujam (men’s field hockey), Dipa Karmakar (gymnastics), and Shiva Thapa (boxing).

Dipa Karmakar, from Tripura, has made the headlines in India for qualifying for the top-eight final showdowns in gymnastics and becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to make the cut at the Olympics. She has also won a gold medal in vaults finals at the test event of the 2016 Olympics in April this year. All eyes are on Dipa where she would be competing in the finals on August 14.

 

Dipa Karmakar
Credit: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kLTW88dne-k/maxresdefault.jpg

In women’s hockey, India returned to the Olympics after 36 years with Sushila Chanu leading the team with a draw against Japan in the first match. But during the second match against Australia (the Australians are ranked 3rd in the world while the Indians are ranked 13th), they were outclassed 1-6. Thokchom Anuradha (Manipur) scored the lone goal with just 8.3 seconds left on the clock. The women’s hockey team will play their next match against the USA at 4.00 am IST on Friday.

 

Sushila Chanu
Credit: http://d2rfsfyh2505gh.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Sushila-Chanu.jpg

Thokchom Anuradha (R)
Credit: http://quintype-01.imgix.net/thequint%2F2016-08%2Ff8a4e345-e4ff-4775-b96e-ebf568660f22%2FIndian-Hockey-02.jpg?auto=format&q=60&w=976&fm=pjpg

In men’s hockey, Chinglensana Singh and Kothajit Singh scored a goal each during the second match against Argentina. According to the Hockey India website, Chinglensana scored five times in 112 international appearances, while Kothajit netted four times in 133 games. However, it is heartening to note that the duo from the northeast played a pivotal role in India's win over Argentina at Rio.

 

Chinglensana Singh
Credit: http://im.rediff.com/sports/2015/aug/04hockey.jpg

Kothajit Singh
Credit: http://files.prokerala.com/news/photos/imgs/800/kothajit-singh-who-was-selected-in-the-indian-men-188767.jpg

As for Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, before the event in Rio, she broke two national records—her own, by a notch more when lifting 85kg and then the 12-year-old national record which was held by her coach and veteran weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, when she lifted 192kg.

 

 Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
Credit: http://www.sportstarlive.com/multimedia/dynamic/02898/mirabai_2898584b.jpg

India was hoping for a medal but during the event, she produced a disappointing performance and was unable to make an impact in the women's 48kg category at the Riocentro Pavilion 2 arena. Chanu lifted 82 kg in the snatch event, but could not complete any of her lifts in the clean-hand-jerk.  Even though she lost in the event, she has made the northeast proud by representing the country.

Archer Bombayla Devi has represented India three times i.e. 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympic along with Chekrovolu Swuro and this year Olympic.

India's women's archery team comprising of Deepika Kumari, Laxmirani Majhi and Bombayla Devi reached the quarter final but lose to Russia. The match was decided via a shoot-off were world champions Russia managed to score 25 as against to India’s 23.

In the individual match, Bombayla reached the round of 16 but was knocked out as she lost 26-28, 26-23, 27-28, 23-25 to Mexico’s Alejandra Valencia in the pre-quarters on Thursday.

Bombayla Devi
Credit; https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SftWM21CbIA/V6ggmVJt8NI/AAAAAAAABTo/vVcs4SQ-ONgYOAhyRTtogq5iqSQObtObQCLcB/s1600/banbaiya%2Bdevi.JPG

Shiva Thapa was the youngest boxer to have qualified for the London Olympics in 2012. A raw boxer’s maiden Olympic appearance ended in a flash as he was ousted in the first round itself after losing to Mexico’s Oscar Valdez Fierro.

Even this year, boxer Shiva Thapa (56kg) bowed out of the Olympic Games after being out-punched by fourth-seeded Cuban Robeisy Ramirez in the opening round here on Thursday.

The 22-year-old, competing in his second Olympics, lost 0-3 in a one-sided contest in which he also ended up sustaining a cut above his left eye.

 

Shiva Thapa
Credit: http://olympic-rio-16.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/SHIVA_THAPA_2579703f.jpg

Even though the road to the Olympics has not been easy for the young athletes of northeast, they have overcome obstacles to find their way onto the global stage. They have now to prove themselves that they can achieve their dreams with hard work and dedication.

By fact, it is not easy for an athlete from the northeast to shine and find success: inadequate infrastructure and facilities are what they have to contend with too. But the few sportspersons, who have represented the region so far, do bring the region a ray of hope.

Yes, they have made the north east people proud.

Merang Jamir: Shooting dreams at the grand age of 60

Merang Jamir, aged 59, became the first Naga International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) “B” Judge in the month of April this year. Now he can be a Jury, Judge, Chief Range Officer or a Range officer in any of the national and international Shooting competitions/championships including the World Cup.

Merang Jamir (Left)

Merang passed the ISSF “B” Judge’s Course for Rifle & Pistol under the tutelage of Chief Instructor Aado Maranik from Sydney, Australia conducted by the Asansol Rifle Club, West Bengal under the aegis of the National Rifle Association of India from April 8 to 13. His scored 98% in General Aspects, 85% in Technical Rules, 95% in Rifle and 88% in Pistol.

Recalling his high school days at Mangkolemba EAC HQ, Mokokchung district (1968), Merang told Eastern Mirror that he first learned to sing with three (3) chords guitar and fired his first his pellet rifle that belonged to Y. Murry, an administrative officer who also gave him the privilege to handle air weapon.

But Merang took his cultivated his interest in modern shooting sport in 1993 and  participated in 50 meter 22 Open Sight Prone at the 4^th All India GV Mavlankar Shooting Championship (1994) at Ahmedabad, Gujarat through the then Kohima Rifle Club which was affiliated to the National Rifle Association of India. During the championship he took a vow to learn modern shooting and develop the sport in Nagaland.

But without a single shooting range Nagaland, Merang found his dream fleeting away. But he reminded himself that “a vow is not meant to be broken”. In 1998 he decided to start two projects, i.e. music and shooting and came to be known as“Aries Music & Sports Foundation”. According to Merang, he started constructing a 10 meter range at NST Colony,Dimapur and formally inaugurated the range it in May 2010.

Sixshooters of the first batch – namely Merang Jamir, Hito Swu, John Dibew Yimchunger, Alezo Keditsu, Zuchanthung Ezung and Kimatsung Jamir participated at the 20^th All India G.V.Mavlankar Shooting Championship in September 2010 at Kahilibara Shooting Ranges, Guwahati. Kimatsung Jamir, a junior shooter in 10 meter Air Rifle scored 362/400 (Wild Card Entry for Nationals) giving a boost and hope to all the shooters thereafter.

In 2012, Hito Swu brought the first ever Silver medal in 10meter Air Rifle for Nagaland during the 22^nd All India G.V.Mavlankar Shooting Championship that was held at New Delhi. In 2013, the first Bronze medal by a woman in youth category was bagged by Awala at the 23^rd All India G.V.Mavlankar Shooting Championship held at Asansol, West Bengal.

In the same year, Kimatsung Jamir became a National shooter/Renowned Shot during the 57^th National Shooting Championship Competition held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges held at New Delhi.

When asked about how Northeast Zone Shooting Championship (NEZSC) took place, Merang told: “It was in 2010, me and some of my friends from the northeast region wanted to have a separate North East Zone Shooting Championship. And in, 2013, the Mizoram Rifle Association accepted to host the 1^st North East Zone Shooting Championship and was held at Aizawl.”

 The 2^nd NEZSC was hosted by the Assam Rifle Shooting Association at Guwahati. The 3^rd NEZSC was hosted by Manipur Rifle Association and was held at the Shooting Ranges at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal.

The 4^th North East Zone Shooting Championship will be conducted by the Aries Rifle & Pistol Shooting Academy and the Nagaland Rifle Association under the aegis of the National Rifle Association of India at the Aries Shooting Ranges at Aries Sports Complex, Bamunpukhuri-1, Dimapur from August 29 to September 3, 2016.

 “I took up shooting seriously in 2010 but I was already 54 years old.  At 57 years, I became a National Shooter in 22 Rifle 50 meter Prone with a common Rifle which I borrowed from Bhagat Singh of Baghbad Village, Uttar Pradesh during the 58^th National Shooting Championship Competition held at Balewadi Shooting Ranges, Pune in 2014,” Merang shared.

In February, 2015, Kimatsung Jamir, Hito Swu and Merang represented Nagaland at the 35^th National Games held at Thiruvanandapuram, Kerala. When one of the journalists asked Merang why he would be participating at the age of 58, Merang replied: “If I, at my age, get selected in the qualifying round, it will be very inspiring to the younger participants”.

At the age of 60, Merang dreams of constructing the first ever fully fledged Shooting Ranges of 10meter, 25meter and 50meter, in Nagaland. “Yes, it’s a dream come true with discipline, sincerity, hard work, and most of all patience. I hope to see many Naga Shooters In 2020 Olympics.”

The Dog and the Bear from Naga Folktale

The Dog 

How Dog became the men best friend 

The dog had no place to live, so he went to the tiger to live with him, but when they went a-hunting the dog barked and frightened the prey away. The tiger did not like this, so he would not have the stay with him, as he could not hunt with a barking dog. Then the dog went to the elephant but the elephant turned him away saying, “If you bark, the tiger will find us.” Then he went to the wild dog, they hunted small animals together all day and ate them, but the wild dog who hunts in silence was annoyed at the dog who barked much. Therefore the wild dog left him, and the dog went next to the barking deer, but he wanted to devour the deer’s young so the deer too left him. So at last, the dog went to man, and man taught him to hunt and found his barking useful, so he kept and cherished him.

The Bear

The bear is such a funny animal. He builds a house a tree and goes to sleep on it. When it rains he wakes up and says, “I must have made a mistake. This is not my house, as I have built my house so well that rain could not get through.” So he climbs down the tree, and when he gets to the bottom and examines the tree, he’d say “This is very funny. It is my own house right enough. I had better go back.” So he climbs up and again goes to sleep. When the rain starts again he gets wet and repeats exactly what he did before.

By Akholu Zango