Nagaland coach raid: Football bodies threaten boycott of AR sports events

Kohima: Following the raid conducted by the Assam Rifles (AR) at the house of top Naga football coach Roko Angami at the wee hours on October 29, several civil society organizations, including the football fraternity, have warned of boycotting AR sporting events across the state.

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President of the Football Association Phek District (FAPD), took to Twitter saying, “Nagaland football fraternity condemns the harassment of Shri Roko Angami, President, Nagaland Football Coaches Association by the 1st Assam Rifles.”

The FAPD slammed the “double standard” of the AR—organizing state level sports tournaments, including football, on one hand and harassing a top football coach on the other.

Urging the concerned authorities to take necessary action, it warned that the football fraternity of Nagaland in solidarity would completely boycott the football tournament organized by the AR across the state for the safety and integrity of the football players and officials.

As reported earlier, the Nagaland Football Coaches Association (NFCA) had earlier demanded for public clarification and justice for the humiliation and damage done to its president. It had informed that if necessary, all football teams from Nagaland will boycott the Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse memorial football tournament which is hosted by the Assam Rifles.

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Apex student body of the Angami Naga tribe, the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) also condemned the raid. ASU president Bisevi Nakhro and general secretary Mhalevilie Medoze said that the Assam Rifles had “clearly sent the message to abruptly disturb the peace and tranquility in Naga homeland and expose their intention of exercising the draconian laws.”

The student body pondered on how common citizens would safely exist if a reputed sports personality and a leader like Roko Angami was not spared from the brutality of the armed forces. 

“The union will not tolerate or remain silent unless the authorities of 1st Assam Rifles publicly apologize and explicitly declare their wrongdoings immediately. Moreover, the “Friends of the Hill People” should be removed because it contradicts its own motto,” ASU said.

Condemning the raid, the Naga Boys Club also appealed to all sports persons and clubs of the state to extend solidarity and refrain from attending any sports activities organised by the AR until justice is served.

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