The Tuensang District Football Association (TDFA) on Tuesday introduced Joel Richard Williams as the new district head coach for Dr T Ao Trophy 2026, scheduled to be held in August this year.
Addressing a press conference at the TDFA office in Tuensang, Williams expressed his happiness at being given the opportunity to serve a district he holds close to his heart. He said he looks forward to working with individuals who share similar ambitions and vision to strengthen football in Nagaland, particularly in Tuensang.
Stressing the importance of unity and teamwork, Williams said success can only be achieved through collective effort and alignment in goals and approach.
He asserted, “We need to do everything as one, we need to be aligned in everything and need to be a cohesive unit and make everyone believe that we have what it take to win”.
He exuded confidence in the team’s ability, stating that building belief among players and stakeholders would be key to achieving success in the upcoming tournament.
He also appealed to football enthusiasts and the community to extend their support to the team, describing the tournament as an “opportunity to express ourselves, to create something magical, something big and give back to the community”.
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Speaking on the potential of young footballers in the district, Williams observed that many youngsters are passionate about the sport and eager to develop their skills. He remarked that Nagaland possesses immense raw and untapped football talent and encouraged parents to recognize football as a viable career option for aspiring players.
Meanwhile, TDFA president, Menya Wongto Chang highlighted the need for a structured pathway to nurture football talent in the state. “Despite having talents they are lots people who don’t know what to do. They can only practise and play for district tournaments and nothing beyond that. So we have to put in their minds that football is not limited. Having Joel as a coach can provide that structured pathway and start towards professional football,” he said.
When asked about the criteria of selection for the District team, Joel said, “Selection would be purely on the basis of merit.”
