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.

Add caption