United in purpose and action

A Family…: Forming a single team, seen here are leaders of the various Naga underground groups congratulating one another after a successful unified effort on the soccer pitch during the Reconciliation Soccer match. (Morung Photos)

A Family…: Forming a single team, seen here are leaders of the various Naga underground groups congratulating one another after a successful unified effort on the soccer pitch during the Reconciliation Soccer match. (Morung Photos)

Bonnie Konyak
Dimapur | November 13

In a remarkable display of camaraderie and team spirit, the United Nationals, comprising of players from the various “national groups” (factions), not only got the full endorsement of the packed crowd at the DDSC stadium but proved that unity in purpose can achieve even the insurmountable. And in today’s football game against the civil society team played at the DDSC stadium, the United Nationals came back strongly from the jaws of  certain defeat to level the score at 3-3 at the end of full time.

As the match progressed, it was clear beyond doubt that the Naga public, who had gathered to watch the game, was supporting only one team—the United Nationals comprising of the otherwise known as warring factions. Not even the on-field exploits of Dr Wati Aier, Convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, could match the team spirit displayed by the United Nationals. The unrivaled combination of “strikers”, deputy kilonser of NSCN (IM) Sangti Konyak and team captain, kilonser of “GPRN/NSCN”  Singson Kuki, wowed the crowd with the first goal within minutes of the match. The players even huddled together when a goal was scored, doing the high fives among themselves and encouraging each other.   

As the second reconcilation soccer match to be played in Nagaland, the atmosphere today was remarkably less tense as compared to the first event held in Kohima. In fact, the scene at the Chakhesang Baptist Church before the start of the game was one of hugging and back-patting and handshakes especially amongst the lower-rank cadres of different factions who seemed glad to meet after a long time. Deputy Kilonser of “GPRN/NSCN”, Wangtin Konyak acknowledged the calm friendliness among the cadres of various factions and remarked that such contacts would get easier from now on. Though regretting his inability to play soccer, Wangtin, who came all the way from Mon to witness the match, showed his support for the process of Naga reconciliation. 

Earlier before proceeding to the DDSC stadium, Nagaland Baptist Church Council general secretary Rev Zhabu Terhuja encouraged the participants drawing parallels to newly US President elect Barack Obama. “Change, we can, but today we want to send a message to the United States of America that ‘change is possible’ because it is happening today in our land”, Rev Terhuja delivered these strong moving words at a short prayer meeting at the Chakhesang Baptist Church. 

Later speaking during a short function before the match kicked-off, convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation Rev. Dr. Wati Aier termed it is an exciting day filled with hope and as “the moment in our history in which a new order is being born.”  In this context, Dr. Wati reminded the people of the responsibilities and challenges of it, the first of which would be “to guard their rights jealously, and that people must stop hoping that by a twist of historical fate that we will be in paradise”. He said if Nagas are going to be saved, it will be the people who will do it and therefore urged all to start believing in the power of the people. He also urged people to discard the false doctrine of “exclusivism”, to transcend every tribalistic, ethnocentric, and religious overtone and together invest in the future of Naga history. 

Outlining the history of the formation of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation in February 2008, Dr. Wati Aier informed that all “Naga political groups” have agreed to reconciliation” and despite the struggles, the commitment to travel the common journey of reconciliation is a promise and commitment given by all the Naga political groups, he added. Rev. Dr. Wati also assured that the forum would never betray the people from the commitment to Naga reconciliation and also acknowledging the efforts of many other groups and organizations towards this noble cause.

It may be mentioned that the match was officially kicked-off by retired “general” Theinuoselie Keyho. After the match, both the teams, along with the orphans and choir members made a circle around a cross in a mass prayer. 



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