Defending champs Vanguard FC Tseminyu takes Capt Kenguruse Football Trophy 2018

The champions celebrates after receiving the trophy in Kohima

Defending champions Vanguard FC Tseminyu defended their title as they beat Nerhema FC 2-0 in the final match to retain the title of the 4rd edition of 4th edition of Capt Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament (state level) at the Kohima local ground on Friday.

The tournament was organised by the Assam Rifles in honour of the late soldier Captain Neikezhakuo Kengruse, Maha Vir Chakra who sacrificed his life for the country during the Kargil war in 1999.

Vanguard FC received a cash prize of 1. 75 lakhs while the runners up i.e Nerhema FC 80000.  The two semi-finalists Naga Terriers and Green Club were awarded with INR 25,000 each.

Vanguard FC , the captain Yhanshalo Kemp broke the deadlock in the first half to give the lead, and Sinenlo Kath found the back of the net in the second half to finish the game for Vanguard FC. With ten goals in five matches, Yhanshalo became the highest goal scorer of the tournament to win the golden boot award.

Individual awards

Rhitsho Mero of Vanguard FC: player of the tournament

Yhanshalo Kemp of Vanguard FC (10 goals):  golden boot

Medophrezo Kezieo of Nerhema FC: golden gloves 

Meet Nagaland Badminton champ: H Leihong Konyak

The 18 year old H Leihong Konyak emerged as the champions of men’s championship during the recently concluded 42nd Nagaland Inter District & State Open Badminton Championship 2018 held in Pfutsero under Phek district.

He defeated last year runners up Ankur Sangpang Rai by 21-9, 21-13 in the final match. Konyak also won the Under-19 boys single category during the championship.

According to the official website of Badminton Association of India, Konyak is ranked 48th for junior Under-19 players in boys’ singles category of All India ranking.

Konyak said “I feel happy to be the champion; this is one of my aims in my badminton career. As a kid when I started playing, I always wanted to win this tournament. This is just a beginning and I am looking forward to win in bigger tournaments as well.

“I am determined to work harder and represent the country at the international level and I want to achieve every big title and to be world no.1,” he opined.

Konyak is from Mon town, the youngest of the six siblings with a brother and four sisters. He is currently pursuing B.A first semester under Gauhati University, while he is also training at Assam Badminton Academy under Coach Edwin Iriawan ever since 2016.

He started playing badminton at the tender age of 10 when his dad Honshong konyak introduced him to the game during the inter district tournament that was held in Mon district (2010).

“From that day onwards this game fascinated me and I took it as my hobby. And gradually I started liking this game a lot and I give my best to this game, said Konyak.

Konyak started participating in the inter district tournament at the age of 11 and has won many titles to his name.

While hoped and wished that there is badminton academy in the state in order to train the young talented players stating that there are a lot of young raw talented players in the state

Footballer Kivi Zhimomi becomes first naga to sign for ISL club

Kivi Zhimomi sign for Northeast United FC for three years 

Set to become the first player from Nagaland to play in ISL

Indian Super League (ISL) club NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) has signed in Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC) striker Kivi Zhimomi for three years, Eastern Mirror can confirm. Thus, he became the first footballer from Nagaland to join Indian Super League (ISL) club. He will be joining the NEUFC team in August this year. 

The 22-year-old Nagaland-born debuted in I-League with GKFC in January on loan this year and also caught the attention of the national clubs as he scored two goals in his 11 appearances for the club (starting eleven: 8, substituted: 3,).

NorthEast United FC and GKFC finished at the bottom of the table respectively in the recently concluded leagues. Northeast United FC is owned by John Abraham and based in Guwahati, Assam. 

Eastern Mirror in a recent interview with Zhimomi revealed that he has received offers to play I League and ISL next season. He, however, choose NEUFC saying that he wanted to fill the gap between the other states of Northeast and Nagaland to represent Nagaland for the club as NEUFC was the apex football club from Northeast. 

Kivi Zhimomi said “the first place, I thanked the Almighty God, for this achievement is the result of my trust in Him. I am overjoyed to be the first Naga football player to sign in Indian Super League. I also feel proud for making my state the first entry into ISL history. In fact, it has been my motive since the inception of ISL. I was in a dilemma before I signed for NEUFC as I have been receiving offers from other renowned clubs and finally I chose Northeast United FC. 

“Eight states represent North East India and NEUFC being the apex football club for northeast has no single Naga player. You know, one can find at least a player from each state but sadly until now not even a single player from Nagaland. Then I have decided to sign for NEUFC to fill the gap between the other states of northeast and Nagaland. I also want to establish myself as one of the finest players in the future through NEUFC” said Zhimomi.

Roko Angami president Nagaland Football Coaches Association & AFC ‘B’ Licensee and the first footballer from Nagaland to play in the national league shared his views “I am really very proud to say that our Naga footballer are coming up, to play outside and becoming a professional player, those days our Naga football player never have passion to play outside.

“But I am happy to say that some of our players are coming up, and more players are expecting in the near future, my advice to our boys is passion, hardworking, discipline is a must for the sportsman, be God-fearing and make our state proud,” said Angami.

N. William Koso assistant coach Aizawl FC and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘A’ Licensed Coach said “It is a lifetime opportunity for him (Zhimomi), getting a big break like this one, hope he can maintain himself. It will also boost the morale of other upcoming players; finally, we are on the football map. Kivi is a hardworking and dedicated player, he has a passion and right attitude, and he was with me at Kohima Komets for two seasons.I wish him all the best”. 

It may be mentioned Zhimomi was born and brought up in Dimapur and is the youngest of six children. He started his football career in 2010 from the State Sports Academy in Dimapur. He has also played for Mohammedan Sporting Club at Kolkata and Rangdajied United FC at Shillong.

2401 foreign tourist visits Nagaland Hornbill festival 2017

Photo credit: Eastern Mirror

A total of 2401 foreign tourist have visited the 18th edition of the Hornbill Festival that concluded 10-day long on Sunday, December 10. To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The first festival was held in 2000

This year the tourist has recorded an increasing number of domestic (national) that reads a figure of 38700 as per the information provided by Toka E. Tuccumi, tourist officer and statistics in-charge.While 2, 02,113 local visitors of Nagaland have visited the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

During the last year’s Hornbill festival, due to demonetization, a total of 234113 visitors visited the festival including including foreign, domestic and local tourists. 1144 foreign tourist visited the last year tourist.

The last day of the festival has recorded 129 foreign tourists, 12055 domestic and 54, 290 local visitors.

KFC comes to state capital of Nagaland

Finally after decades, KFC has started its branch to Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.

The world’s favourite chicken restaurant, is now in Kohima. With the opening of itsnewest restaurant in Nagaland, KFC has brought its world of finger lickin’ good closer to you.
Walk in to the KFC restaurant located at Keziekie Mini Bus Stop in Kohimaand try for yourself the signature KFC Hot & Crispy Chicken and the delicious Smoky Grilled Chicken, the famous Chicken Zinger burger, or the filling KFC 5-in-1 Meal Box. With prices for chicken burgers, starting at Rs 49/-, there is something for everyone.
Commenting on the store launch Rahul Shinde, Managing Director, KFC India, said, “We are excited to announce the launch of our restaurant in Kohima. With this store, we aim to get closer to our consumers across the region and introduce them to KFC’s world ofcraveable and unique food and beverage options.This storemarks yet another milestone in our India success story and is a step towards shaping KFC’s growth trajectory in the region.”
Conveniently located in the heart of the city and spread across 2400square feet, the new outlet seats 70+ people and will be open from 10am to 9pm through the week.

Restaurant Address:Plot No-2046, Ward Number 3, Ground and First Floor, Keziekie Mini Bus Stop, Kohima, Nagaland-797001

Barak FC wins Nagaland's most prestigious tournament "NSF Martyrs' Trophy 2017"

Barak FC, Peren showed their dominance in Nagaland after defeating the defending champions Nagaland Police (Red) in the final 2-1 to emerge as the champions of the 18th edition of NSF Martyr’s Memorial Trophy, the most prestigious football tournament in Nagaland on October 21.
With the win, Barak has now lifted the coveted trophy for the third year.
The biggest annual football tournament in Nagaland is organised by Angami Students Union in memory of Lt. Kekuojalie Sachü (Kohima Village) & Lt. Vikhozo Yhoshü (Kigwema Village) under the theme ‘Goal for Peace.’
Playing in front of a full-capacity Khuochiezie ground on a clumsy weather, the first half saw two goals from Khweteli  Thopi and Kevi Jimo Sumi from Barak side.  Ninja Golmei of Nagaland Police scored a spectacular goal in the second half but it was not enough for the team as they failed to defend the title.
During the match, Barak started the match brightly and Thopi scored a stunner in the 21st minute to give the team the lead. Minutes later, Nagaland Police should have scored the equaliser but Akum shot hits the woodwork.
Nagaland Police were second best in the match as they failed to breach the defensive line and find the target.
Before the break, Kivi Jimo Sumi scored the second goal in the 45th minute for Barak to double the lead at the end of first half.
 Despite the soggy ground and foggy weather, the final match didn’t disappoint the crowd as the match went more intense in the second half with Barak FC leading with two goals.
Barak defended the score in the second half and was jeered by some section of the crowd for wasting the time, the encounter was one-sided with Nagaland Police in better ball possession and counter attacks but they failed to hit the target.
Nagaland Police managed to pull a goal back in the 74th minute through Ninja Golmei, scoring a stunning long-range kick and send the crowd to jubilation.
Stopper Nganga Zeliang then denied a goal for Nagaland Police as he managed to tap-out the ball in the last quarter of the match. Hard luck for Police team as Barak team holds on till the final whistle to win the match.
With the victory, the champions Barak FC lifted the trophy and also won a cash award of Rs 1.6 lakh, while the runners-up Nagaland Police (Red) received Rs 1 lakh along with a trophy and citations.
The third and fourth places were bagged by Forerunners FC and Tangkhul Students Union Manipur. They both received a cash award of Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.
Altogether 51 teams from across the state, including four from neighboring Manipur state participated in this year tournament.
Individual awards
Best keeper- Nganga Zeliang of Barak FC
Best defender- Salu Kulimbe of Barak FC
Best midfield- Pirei Shokwungnao of Tankhul Student's Union, Manipur
Highest scorer- Kezhose Mathew of Forerunners 4th NAP Thizama
Player of the tournament- Kekhrieletuo Tsira of Nagaland Police
Fair play award- K.V.N.S

Moko Koza new song 'Puisa' is going viral on internet

The sensational singer Moko Koza after getting acclaimed for his song One Day has once again caught the attention of the Naga youngsters on internet on storm for his new nagamese song Puisa.

Moko Koza releases his new song in nagamese titled Puisa on Friday evening (October 20) after making a mark with his hit single One day (Khunhie Puo), Kohima’s very own Moko Koza has dropped his new rap song in Nagamese dialect. The song is called, “Puisa”.

Sampled beat from Aloe Blacc’s “I need a dollar”, the song humorously talks about our perspectives towards money. Starting off with catchy phrases, he raps about one being broke and in need of money and how it impacts us and the people around. On the second verse, he takes it to a general view and shares his opinions on the present scenario with Nagaland’s crisis.

On the outro of the song, he leaves a strong message stating, “We all need money to satisfy ourselves, but what money cannot buy is Love and Love is priceless”.
The song itself speaks about corruption where money comes into play. We raise our voice against corruptions but, are we actually practising what we are preaching? A change will start from us alone and it is that change that will help bring a better tomorrow.
He extends his greetings to all the people of Nagaland and urges each and every one of us to spread love and not hate.