(A brief mini biography of Roko Angami, AFC)
Zakie Khate
Where do I start writing about Roko Angami, one of Nagaland's finest product in terms of soccer and the same guy that's achieved a lot and contributed tremendously as being a soccer player and a coach in the State? I could start with his achievements and countless records, but I'd rather leave them for later as the cherry on top of the cake. For now, let's briefly take a look at the cake itself, and slice through the midfielder's career.
I doubt there's a part of Nagaland where the name Roko doesn't spark a light bulb, but nevertheless, many people don't know the player before he became a world class footballer. It was when he was awarded, “International footballer” by Paul Moses of International Sports Coalition at the “Night of Stars” on 5th November, 2004. It was when he toured the entire State for free football campaign with an aim to train and mold young Nagas into a formidable team to make it to the B division of the National League. It was with this vision that he founded the Naga Boys club in the year 1999. It's this side of Nagaland’s very own attacking midfielder turned coach that you're bound to find some interesting & probably unknown facts about him.
Roko Angami by his full name, he was often called Roko by his friends, even from his younger days. The caring efforts of his mother who persistently encouraged and supported all his endeavors continued to be the constant inspiration in his life later. And it is family whom he deems most important in his life. He was raised in Zhadima, in the Kohima district of Nagaland by a single mother Riiiinuo Soliezuo, as his father late Tholhou Soliezuo died when he was barely five months young. Christ King school was the foundation of both his schooling and his career as a soccer player. The school provided him to study on compassionate ground at a minimum half rate schooling fee.
1990 came and destiny did its part for Roko, he was awarded the best player of the school during the school sports week. It was on the dusty back-grounds of this school that Roko learnt his first few tricks, and it was also in this school that he was first scouted.
He was then in standard six. Roko's skills drew a lot of eyes, even during his early days as a soccer player. When he later joined SAI, he already had some experience in the rules of the game and young Roko was quickly selected in the trail test. It was just at beginning of a beautiful chapter of his life that he managed to attract attention as a prospective soccer player. Reminiscence upon his younger days Roko passionately quips, “Soccer is what I dreamt to be!”
Soon after joining SAI, Roko was selected in the SAI squad to represent the State in the all India SAI Sports meet at Darjeeling, Siliguri and Cuttack in 1990 to 1993. Having been recognized as a serious talent, all that was left was for the big clubs in India to scrap it out for his signature. He progressed slowly through the youth ranks, although all those who worked with him were impressed with the talent that he had. He was finally picked up for the national trials when he was playing for Subroto Mukherjee Cup and subsequently selected to represent India to Israel in 1994. His skills were also watched closely by many teams in his home State. In 1995, he emerged at the All India Police meet at Sikkim representing Nagaland and beyond the State he participated in the Young Amatuer Club in Guwahati for Guwahati Sports association, Santosh Trophy in Manipur and Centre for excellence team for India in 1994-5.
At the end of 1995 after playing for many teams, he was linked to Mahindra & Mahindra of Mumbai. Though he claimed he was extremely happy at other teams, he was also flattered by the interest of such a big club, who used to do well in the National arena. The time for the young boy came. “Joining Mahindra was one of the greatest successes of my dream”. He was suddenly rubbing shoulders with the likes of Baichung Bhutia, Joe Paul Ancheri and IB Vijayan! Thus, he became the first Naga soccer player to play in the first Indian National League between 1996 and 1997. Preceding the premier League, his excitement was momentarily devastated by sustaining an injury during the practice session. He played three matches in the season for the famous Mumbai club, Mahindra & Mahindra. He later sincerely affirms” I played carrying injuries as I never wanted to let my club down”
He later went on to play at the Federation cup, Bangalore and Rovers Cup, Mumbai in 1996, Maharashtra State National team (U-21) at Kolkata in which his team attained the runner-up. In 1996, at the NTFP Gold Cup in Nepal, his team became the champion and brought accolades and laurels to the country. In the next year at Bhubaneshwar in Orissa, his team yet got the championship again at the All India Forest Football Championship.
Roko official retired from playing soccer after a series of injuries in 1999. After his retirement in 1999, Roko became a Soccer coach and a leading promoter of soccer in the Nagaland. "It is a mission," Roko told me in a casual interaction "To develop soccer in the districts in Nagaland is my passion. I want to see soccer taken in a higher level of both standards not just at the local level but in the National and International level." As a coach and founder of Naga Boys club, he captured the Nagaland’s limelight in 2008, when his club went to all the District of Nagaland to impart free football coaching to young Naga Soccer players. Since 1999, more than one thousand soccer players are registered in his club for regular free coaching. Apart from many achievements, his club attained the runners-up in the under-16 national level in 2005 and the same in 2006 at North-East Zonal qualifying football tournament.
Nagaland was steeped in factional turmoil until recently. The people’s cry for peace and reconciliation to give peace a chance inspired the club to coin, “Football for peace”. He used the tremendous influence of football in Naga society to rally around the call for peace in Nagaland. He also inspired his club in carrying out sanitation drives in the State capital Kohima.
Roko Angami holds a ‘B’ category Soccer coach title from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He is today one of the most efficient professional Soccer coach in Nagaland inspiring many young soccer players through his ample caring and professional efforts. He is a role model for many hopes and his efforts to mold a formidable club for Nagaland to compete in the National arena and beyond is living the dream. His club produced many talented players who like him went on to the national and the international arena. Soccer players such as Velukho Rhakho and Vizovor Liezietsu are two such soccer players who were the products of his club. Many popularly established clubs in Nagaland is not without his name behind it. Many of his students are today serving as coaches or players in various clubs and teams such as The State team, Nagaland Police, Excel United or Life Sports FC etcetera!
When the recently concluded Delhi Commonwealth Games Baton torch reached Kohima, the prized Naga Ace Soccer player was holding the torch as high as what he has achieved. Roko is today offered to apply for the Padma award through the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima. It is truly a magnificent moment to show gratitude and honor to one of our very own Nagaland’s mid fielder star who attacked all his way to the International arena. He is an International soccer player whose journey did not end with his inspiring success. Instead he came home and molded many young Naga soccer players to success.
