By Lt Col Charanjit Singh (Retd)
IKF Trials conducted for Nagaland – IKF and 343 Football Trials
IKF is hosting football trials for players born between 2006-2011, with the aim of identifying promising talent in the region. 343, in partnership with IKF (India Khelo Football), operates as the regional partner for IKF in the Northeast of India. The trial process involves a total of 4 rounds, with the first trials taking place in the home state itself. Players who advance through the initial rounds will progress to subsequent rounds, with the final rounds providing the opportunity for players to be scouted by professional football clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League. The initiative has already garnered significant interest, with over 90 students from the district of Dimapur participating in the trials, illustrating the potential impact and reach of the partnership between 343 and IKF in fostering football talent in the Northeast region of India. The trials were conducted on 17th Nov for Dimapur and for Kohima, the trials is scheduled to be conducted on 25th Nov.
In a statement issued by Mr Jungshi Jamir Chief Operating Officer at 343, he said,
“I believe that collaboration with organizations with similar intentions of propelling the game of football would contribute vastly to the future of the growing football scene in India. The North Eastern Region of India has tremendous potential to contribute to the game of football and we being the pioneers in the state of Nagaland are doing our every bit to promote, enhance, and flourish this beautiful game which we expect in time to come will bring glory to our Country and the state of Nagaland as well. It is our endeavor to derive the best potential and the raw talent from the very grassroots level of our state that can be further nourished and polished in making them the likes of Sunil Chettri and beyond, godspeed”
Mr Suyatemjen Longkumer Chief Executive Officer at 343 also stated, “IKF provides the platform and hope for young players in a region like Nagaland where many young talented players are looking for an opportunity. We, in collaboration with the IKF, are in the process of facilitating the raw talent from the state of Nagaland to enable them to reach the heights that they deserve and in the near future see them as the flagbearers and idols of the game of football from our country”.