Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 26
In a major boost to the football fans in Nagaland, the defending Hero I-League Champions (2017-18) Minerva Punjab FC has completed the signing of Hitova Ayemi, a young upcoming player from the state.
Ayemi, who hails from Kohima, was ‘captured’ from his former club Fateh Hyderabad, the Club said in a press release posted on its website on August 25.
“I am very lucky to have the signed with the champions and I hope I do well here. I will have to because it is going to be very competitive. It won’t be a walk in the park but then, I’m used to it as anywhere we play, it’s always competitive. Even if there’s no prize at the end, no one wants to end up on the losing side,” the young midfielder was quoted as saying. Further stating that he has a clear target, Ayemi maintained, “Obviously I would like to make it big here. My dream is to make it to the national team soon and I hope I will improve here. There have been many young players in the past who were playing in the top division at a very young age and have made it to the national team. I’m very sure that I have come to the right place.”
“If I do well, this will be the best spotlight on me. Minerva has been the right kind of platform for the youth”, he added.
Minerva is playing every competition ‘possible this season’ and Ayemi said he was “more than motivated” and “came here to play football, to perform, do well for the club” and hope it goes well, the release said.
He is confident about this move and his teammates and said he will give “my 100% and take every step at a time” and expressed gratitude to the club for giving him opportunity and platform to showcase his talent, it added.
“I am also very grateful to Fateh Hyderabad as I was on the receiving end of a lot of guidance and on field experience,” the release further quoted the young midfielder.
Ayemi made his senior team debut along with his club, DSK Shivajians Football Club, a Pune-based I-League Club at the Durand Cup in 2016 before joining Fateh Hyderabad.
Minerva entered the national fray in 2013 as debutants in the 2nd Division League and finished Runners- Up after and thereafter promoted to the top division.
