Where in ones imagination would we have thought that Nagaland and Maradona would be mentioned in the same sentence?
Besides monetization the question on every mind is what can be the result to the combination of Nagaland and Maradona. Should he really come to our hills whatever the agenda some focus would be on Nagaland football. Attention is what Nagaland football really needs. Maradona might just be what the doctor ordered.
Other states in the north east have marched on ahead with their football culture. Nagaland was supposed to be the pioneer in this field but now we are playing catching up or should I say we are not even doing much of that. The love for the game is evident regarding the fact that almost every village area and district have their annual football tournaments and you add the majors like NSF trophy, Classic Cup etc. What Nagaland football really needs is a league system covering players as much as possible. With a league system connected to the rest of the country via promotions. This will give the footballers and teams a direction and with direction will come ambition which will in turn elevate standard and performance. The winning team of NSF or Classic cup has the direction of winning the cup next year again and nothing beyond thus creeps in complacency.
With a league successfully in place facilities and infrastructure will follow like a natural cause. Complaining about infrastructure and facilities does not hold weight if standard does not show. Maradona first started playing football in the slum like conditions of Villa Fiorita. Moreover expenditures incurred on stadiums and facilities should not take place before first accounting for the real needs.
Whatever the scenario, a Football league to kick off and survive needs self sustaining. For Football to income sustain itself in Nagaland it is not an impossibility. First of all during the initial stage say five years at the least, nurturing from sponsors and Government is required. Sponsors of every nature cannot be taxed too much in a taxed environment so the Government has to play a more dedicated role.
In a perfect world all 60 elected members of the Legislative Assembly can contribute Rs.1000.00 per month from their salary to Nagaland football and all Government employees can contribute Rs.100.00 per month from their salary to football. These amounts should not hurt much. You do the math and there you have a monthly source of income to take Naga Football to the heights it can reach. But the world is not perfect.
Diego Maradona on Naga soil would be for Naga Football a life time opportunity in many aspects. Nagas love football though the love and passion have not brought enough success and recognition. Proper Football Talent identification nurturing and management have not found necessary efforts .If the eyes of Maradona see potential and talent in our players and if his heart feels the passion for football in the Nagas then something just might happen. If the eyes of one of the greatest footballers sees even a glimpse of talent in our players then who are we to question the possibilities of our players. Why doubt the investment in our footballers. Nagaland Football needs resurrection, Maradona can create that second coming. Our Footballers are crying for support and recognition, Maradona can turn that cry into a deafening scream.
Ayeto Ayemi, General Secretary Nagaland Football Coaches Association (NFCA)
