Football has always been a beloved sport across the globe. Now turf has become a pre-eminent part of this game. Footballers affirm that playing the game on an artificial synthetic field can enhance the skills as well as bring in a premium experience for the players.

Tuensang has been allocated with this “state of the art facility” along with other districts across Nagaland with the motive to produce the next generation of football players who will earn glory not only in the State level but in the national and international levels too.

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Hanglen Chang, captain of Tuensang football team, winner of Dr. T Ao Under-21, 2018 and I-League Under-16, 2016-2017 asserts that having an Astro-Turf especially in Tuensang is an open opportunity for the budding players, as one can adapt and play without any hindrance as compared to a traditional soil leveled field. He also adds that to be a full time professional as a football player in Nagaland is difficult due to lack of opportunities because of which one cannot opt for it as a full time career.

Hanglen Chang (L), Naset Chingmak (C) and Liang T Khiamniungan (R)

Liang T Khiamniungan, a Santosh Trophy 2023 player also stated that he has been on the ground playing football for the past 10 years, and being able to play on turf is on a different level. He is also excited for the upcoming Dr T Ao Trophy which will be held in Tuensang in the month of October.

Naset Chingmak, a goalkeeper who played in the prestigious Subroto Cup in Delhi in the year 2016, says that he does not skip his football regime except for Sunday and his experience playing on the turf has been absolutely wonderful. He adds that he has significant improvement with time.

Furthermore, all the young players agreed that having a coach to guide the players would really bring in major changes and uplift the football standards of Tuensang as they could see that many young players have the potential to shine.