For Besang Chang, one of the experienced football players in the Tuensang District Football Association (DFA) who have been playing football for the past five years, Football has been an integral part of his life. Developing the love for football at a young age, Besang started participating in tournaments which provided him exposure, experience and growth.
“People only see us playing football on the field during a particular match but for us it’s not just a couple of week’s game. It is years of struggle, compromises and sacrifices which is not usually seen or understood,” shares Besang.
Preparing for football tournaments especially for players from marginalised areas are even harder, requiring rigorous training as Chang highlights their routines including diet requirements to retain stamina, proper sleeping schedule, abstinence from unhealthy food as well as social events.
With the Tuensang DFA registering itself for the finals at the ongoing 23rd Inter-District Football Championship Dr.T. Ao Trophy 2024, Besang expresses, “I believe that we have come back stronger, more disciplined and enthusiasistic as compared to past participation.”
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Beso Lomchu, another player of Tuensang DFA, who is participating at the Dr. T. Ao Tournament for the first time also shares about preparing for the tournament. “It was my first experience so it was quite challenging, getting trained from the experience coach was indeed very helpful as well as preparing and training alongside seniors was such a great help for me. It played a very important role in moulding and boosting my confidence,” relays Lomchu.
Practising in the heat for hours was a challenging task for the new player, who however maintained that the rigorous training has taught him on various aspects such as good diet for the body, technical ability, discipline, commitment and focus.
18 years old S.Ayenmongba, one of the young players says, “I feel excited and honoured to be a participant of the tournament where I got to learn many new things from my senior players and from others senior players as well. It is my second time participating in this tournament.”
Mongba and his team wakes up at 5 am in the morning, and starts practice at 9.am till 12:00 noon. Compared to the previous tournaments, the young player says there has been noticeable changes and improvement among players as well as the organisational structure, crowd and the ambience.
“Besides my family, football is the thing I am most passionate about. I have played, watched and read football since I was around six years old. Football can change lives; football really can bring people together. Football is one of the most beautiful game,” expresses Mongba who also shares that the game has also been a good distraction for him.
The capacity to develop self esteem, regulate behaviour and habits, leadership and communication skills, learning patience and developing resilience, are qualities that Mongba has learned through the tournament.
Mongba remains appreciative towards the Nagaland Football Association for organising the tournament and for providing an opportunity to young players who dreams of becoming a professional football players in future.
