Eric Miachieo
Kohima | May 24
Few paid attention or noticed his credentials when he ran into a cheering arena with the tournament torch as the torchbearer during the North East Sports Festival held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in the state capital Kohima in 2006. Neither did it make the headlines when he was selected to represent India at international events in foreign countries or when he successfully completed training at the elite National Security Guard Training Centre.
But today, Thepfüzhü-o Mathew Viswentso’s curriculum vitae or resume – if one is to mention all his achievements in sports – can fill dozens of pages. Name any discipline of sports and he has been at the very top!
However, his main passion is hockey where his skills and talent and sheer determination has taken him to heights few among the Nagas have even dared to dream of reaching – representing the country at international events! He has represented India in Australia in 2001 and Myanmar in 2002. He is also the first Naga to have been selected for the World Cup Hockey coaching camp and the first and perhaps the only one to have passed the National Security Guards training. Besides, he is among only a handful of Nagas to have completed degree course in Physical Education and Health Club Management.
Born on March 1, 1981 to Dzüvile and Kevilezho Viswentso of Jakhama village, Thepfüzhü-o is the fourth among five siblings. From early childhood, he began to show deep interest in sports and today he can boast of a long list of achievements. Right from childhood, he nurtured a dream to actively participate and excel in various games and sports events. And his first major breakthrough came during his high school days when professional trainers and coaches noticed an extraordinary quality in him – the makings of a star sportsman – and made arrangements for him to undergo formal training in sports and games of various disciplines including hockey, basketball and football under qualified N.I.S coaches.
Thepfüzhü-o’s first major breakthrough came when he was selected to represent Nagaland in basketball in 1997 at the National School Games in Bihar. However, his particular passion for hockey got the better of his interest in other disciplines at about the same time. In the same year, he represented the state in hockey and went on to later represent India in Australia in 2001 and Myanmar in 2002. To add to his credit, he has also participated in a good number of national sporting events including national football and basketball tournaments. He attributes his achievements to careful, meticulous moulding by his uncle, Retired Joint Director of Youth Resources & Sports, Vimeho Khazo and constant support by his family, relatives, friends and well-wishers.
At present, Thepfüzhü-o has returned to his native place after completing his degree in Physical Education (Final Year) and Advanced Course in Health Club Management (Gym) from the prestigious Degree College of Physical Education, Amravati, Mumbai. Unlike most of his colleagues who have been either employed by central departments such as the Railways, Indian Army or reputed national sports clubs, Thepfüzhü-o says he will be satisfied with a normal job that will keep him close to home. He is hopeful that the State government will accommodate him appropriately under its ongoing policy of youth empowerment.
