Young Nagaland footballers return from Germany after training

DIMAPUR — Three young footballers from Nagaland, who had undergone training at Germany’s top Bundesliga football clubs, received a warm welcome from members of Dimapur Sporting Club (DSC) and their families upon their arrival at Dimapur Airport on Tuesday.

While interacting with media persons, Yongsen Jamir, the managing director of DSC, mentioned that on April 5 and 6, the club, in collaboration with BigHit and Bundesliga International, organised the U-13 trials. From these trials, 12 players were selected from Nagaland.

Subsequently, the selected players travelled to Mumbai to participate in the final trials, and five boys were chosen to undergo training in Germany.

He informed that 30 players were selected for training in Germany from across the country, and the first batch of 15 players departed for a training camp at FC Augsburg on May 15 and returned on May 23.

The second batch of 15 players reached Germany for a training camp at Frankfurt FC on June 2 and underwent a weeklong training session. Jamir informed that the German coaches would stay in contact with the Indian organisers and await their feedback.

The three players from Nagaland, namely Lalminkai Thomson (12 years old), Asa Ayemi (12 years old), and Nitoka Tamang (11 years old), were included in the second batch.

He also informed that although five players were selected for the training camp, two players, namely Kaiminlen Haokip and Sehboigin Haokip, could not make it due to passport issues.

Describing his experience in the training camp, Lalminkai Thomson from Greenhood Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, said that the training is very different in Germany compared to football training in India.

He added that the German players are very skilled and that the infrastructure is also very good. He encouraged other players not to be discouraged, even if they do not get selected but to work hard with dedication.

Asa Ayemi said that he had a very good experience playing on football grounds with natural grass and turf. He added that the training was a very positive experience.

Nitoka Tamang, who is a goalkeeper, mentioned that he was the captain of Team India and that the overall training camp was a very positive experience. He added that the training camp also included theory classes on football.