KICK STARTING DREAMS: Reca Sports Agency takes the field

Participants at the trials held by Reca Sports Agency in Tuensang from January 3-6, 2025. (Morung Photo)

Rebecca Kits Jakhalu
Kohima | January 14
From small villages to bustling towns, football is played and cherished in almost every corner in Nagaland.

While the state’s sporting infrastructure has improved over the years, the enthusiasm for football and the opportunities for players in terms of right guidance, exposure, and connections to make it to the top have remained worlds apart.

In order to address this gap and create a sustainable platform for young players to achieve their dreams, Reca Sports has initiated its talent scouting project in Nagaland.

This pioneering move marks a historic milestone for Nagaland’s sporting community, as Reca Sports promises to elevate football to professional levels.

The project is being driven by a collaboration between Naga lad Izuto Yeptho, and his friend Syed Aawez Bashar Hashmi, who is the owner of a popular club, Majaz FC in Bangalore, Karnataka.

“Together, we bring a unique blend of experience, passion, and strategic insight to the project. Aawez’s expertise in the local football scene, combined with our shared vision, ensures a solid foundation for identifying and nurturing talent,” Yeptho shared in an interaction with The Morung Express.

Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima

The agency pitches its aim to uncover and nurture local football talent, and provide young athletes with the tools and opportunities to grow, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and connect them with professional opportunities.

“Nagaland has a plethora of talent that deserves recognition and opportunity on a national and global scale, and Reca Sports intends on providing these opportunities to the Naga communities,” Yeptho added.

With its mission of scouting, development and representation, Reca Sports conducted trials in three districts of Nagaland from January 3 to 6, 2025 which saw a total participation of 113 players.

The trials in Chümoukedima, Kohima and Tuensang districts resulted in the identification and selection of 18 young and talented individuals.

The youngest player selected was 15 years old, while the oldest was 24. Most of the selected players fall within the age range of 17 to 20, and this age group represents a strong pool of talent with potential for both immediate impact and future success, Yeptho informed.
The player selection was based on various grading categories such as game IQ, endurance, technical ability, and the quality of game play among others.

Each player was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 for these attributes, and players who scored 4 out of 5 or higher across all rounds were selected, ensuring that only the most well-rounded and skilled individuals made it through the process. This approach helped to identify players with exceptional potential in various aspects of the game, Yeptho shared.

With the scouting round complete, all selected players have signed contracts with Reca Sports agency, and the agency has already begun reaching out to different clubs for potential opportunities for these players.

“We will put every selected player in clubs based on their grading. Lowest being B1, they’ll be joining lower division clubs, ensuring they get more game time and proper training before they climb up the professional ladder,” Yeptho added.

According to the agency, they will handle players’ representation, assisting with contract negotiations, sponsorship deals, career management, transfer deals and financial assistance.

This will ensure the players’ focus on their performance on the field, as the Reca Sports Agency handles the administrative and professional aspects of their career.

1st NAP ground, Chümoukedima

‘My way of giving hope & direction’

The agency’s vision is to create an ecosystem where local talent from Nagaland can shine in the national level and eventually make it to the international football scene.

“This is my way of giving hope, direction, and a future in football to the next generation,” said 25-year-old Yeptho, who has played at various levels, including semi-professional leagues, youth leagues and National tournaments.

Sharing his experience, Yeptho said, “My journey in football hasn’t been easy, and it’s been shaped by both hardships and the incredible support I’ve received along the way.”

Growing up in Nagaland, football wasn’t always seen as a viable career path.

“There were limited resources, and for many years, pursuing the sport professionally felt like an uphill battle. I faced financial constraints, lack of proper training facilities, and the challenge of being from a region where the sport wasn’t as developed as in other parts of India. However, it was the unwavering support from my family, coaches, and friends that kept me going. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of playing at various levels, including semi-professional leagues, youth leagues and National tournaments, where I’ve gained invaluable experience. But those hardships I faced early on have always stayed with me and serve as a reminder of why I want to help the next generation,” he shared.

“During my time playing at various levels, I interacted with many young players from Nagaland who had the skill, determination, and passion but did not know how to navigate the complexities of the football world. They lacked guidance on how to approach trials, secure contracts, or even market themselves to the right scouts and clubs. This highlighted a clear need for a professional agency that could bridge these gaps—an agency that would not only scout and nurture talent but also offer career guidance, mental support, and practical assistance in taking their game to the next level.

Additionally, I’ve also seen how football is growing in popularity in Nagaland, and the demand for better representation and career opportunities is rising. Starting a football agency seemed like the most logical way to meet this need and ensure that the next generation of players don’t miss out on opportunities simply because they don’t have the right connections or guidance,” Yeptho said.
Today, I want to use my experiences—both the challenges and the triumphs to build a platform where young players from Nagaland can receive the support, guidance, and opportunities they deserve. I know firsthand how important it is to have the right people by your side, and that’s what I aim to offer through my football agency, Yeptho added.

Support & Challenges

With the launch of the agency pitched as a game-changer for the region, the support from the state football authority has been very positive, according to Yeptho.

“We approached the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and were grateful to receive the necessary permit to conduct scouting without any restrictions. Additionally, the football associations in the three districts we visited had no objections and were supportive of our project. This cooperation made the process much smoother,” he shared.

“As for challenges, none were significant enough to hinder progress, thanks to the support we received. However, managing logistics and ensuring all players had access to the try-outs in remote areas posed some initial difficulties. Nonetheless, these challenges were overcome with careful planning and the backing of local authorities, he added.

Future plans

While the trials were initially held in three districts of Nagaland, plans are in place to cover more districts next season.

“The goal is to reach as many areas as possible where there are quality players who lack opportunities and platforms. Reca Sports Agency had a great first experience and is looking forward to returning next year to expand our reach,” Yeptho said.

“Football in Nagaland is second to none, with some amazing talent spread across the state — it was very eventful and pleasing to see the players turn up for the recent trials we held across Chümoukedima, Kohima and Tuensang. It is evident that footballers in Nagaland can reach the highest of levels once they are provided with the right support and ladder for their careers. With NSL coming up, I am sure that we will witness plenty more talent on display and this should provide them a big platform to showcase their talent. With utmost pleasure, Reca Sports will return to Nagaland to further help the cause of expanding footballing horizons and helping Nagaland footballers realise their potential,” Aawez added.

For young footballers in Nagaland, Reca Sports Agency represents an exciting new chapter. With the right guidance and support, the dream of local players playing on the biggest stages of the sport could soon become a reality.
 



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