Kivi Zhimomi and the battles in his football journey thus far

The academy boy who now spars with the big boys

With the Indian Super League in the national circuit and closer home: MDFA Trophy, NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy dominating our sports pages currently, Eastern Mirror is  delighted to promote Naga footballers and encourage them in their pursuit of a career in football.  

With the likes of Khwetelhi Thopi, Lironthung, Hitova Ayemi, to name a few, Nagas have found presence in the national arena in football after moving away from the state opting for better facilities and proper training, development in football. This lack of facilities and proper training has been the root cause behind the exodus of every player in Nagaland football.

Nagaland doesn’t even have football grounds with artificial turfs, ending the hopes of the youth and the proper growth of football. The only premier league in Nagaland has also died a strange death a few years ago.

In this edition, we reacquaint with a footballer who is a household name here in the state.

Kivi Zhimomi, a 20-year-old is a striker from Rangdajied United FC, Shillong, and a product of Dimapur sports academy. He was also a former player of Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata, one of the oldest clubs in Asia. Kivi was also one of the players who dazzled in the now-defunct Nagaland Premier League, especially in its debut season.  

Kivi V Zhimomi was born and brought up in Dimapur and is the youngest of six children. He started his football career in the year 2010 from state sports academy, Dimapur.

               

Zhimomi says: “I have played the first edition of Nagaland Premier League for Naga Tornadoes and 2nd edition for Kohima Komets and then  for Mohammedan Sporting Club Kolkata in 2014 and currently I'm in Rangdajied United FC, Shillong playing  in Shillong Premier League. And now my aim is to play Indian Super League and I-League.”

He can play as striker or winger. 

Zhimomi admitted that he left his studies behind in order to pursue his career in football. “I left studying because I think football can be taken up as my career too and I believe that I will make it someday by the grace of our almighty God which is why I gave up my studies.”

               

On his favourite match, he recollects ‘the match against Mohammedan Sporting Club where I was awarded as man-of-the-match and that was why I was given the offer to sign for them for Kolkata Premier League.’

The biggest scare in a footballer life is when they are injured, Zhimomi says. “In 2014 when I was having a groin injury and I had to rest for 8 months,” is the period in his career that he identifies with regret. “As a football player, I have faced lots of hardships and difficulties but through prayer and hard work I could overcome all.”

Some of his achievements are winner medals in Classic Cup, NSF Martyrs' tournament, 1st edition of Assam Premier League and recently the 2nd National Level North East Games, and some individual prizes. 

On the sports academy in Dimapur, he says: “Yes, it's a good academy and most of the finest players in Nagaland right now are the products of that academy.”

He also bemoaned the lack of proper facilities and infrastructures in Nagaland and wished those to be upgraded, with hope, he says: “I believe much more good players will come up because we Nagas are second to none.”

“Nagaland is a football crazy state  but there are lots of things to be done like setting up the grassroots level academy, proper facilities and infrastructures and exposures  and platforms like Nagaland Premier League so that players can showcase their talents and can take up football as a career. Naga players are naturally talented but need more dedication, hard work and discipline,” he says.

On his view on the now-defunct Nagaland Premier League, Zhimomi says: “It was because of that many players could showcase their talents and improve their skills and I think Nagaland Football Association must restart the Nagaland Premier League”.

“Naga kids are to be more disciplined dedicated, hard work, put more effort and never give up until you achieve your dream. The scripture says: Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. So, believe in yourself and make your dreams come true.”