DIMAPUR, JULY 18 (MExN): Kivi Zhimomi from Nagaland state has received a call up by Indian National football team coach Stephen Constantine for the SAFF Championship preparatory camp to be held from July 28.
The 22 year old lanky striker who recently signed for Indian Super League (ISL) Club, North East United from I League club Gokulam Kerala FC is among the 34 probables called up by Constantine.
A product of the Nagaland State Football Academy in Dimapur, Zhimomi has also featured for Mohammedan Sporting Club at Kolkata and Rangdajied United FC at Shillong.
India, the defending champions, have been clubbed in Group B along with Maldives and Sri Lanka and play their first match against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh (venue not yet announced) on September 6. The final is slated for September 15.
Constantine stressed that it is important to see whether the youngsters are up to the challenge or not.
"We are always looking down to the age groups to see if these players can make the step up the ladder. I have always put a great deal of importance on the youth and have stuck to the same philosophy, this camp is no different. Quite a few youngsters have been provided with a chance to prove their worth," he added.
"Heading to a tournament with such a young team is going to be a challenge but that's what we want. We want to find out that particular player who can push the extra bit to achieve the desired result, who can take up the extra responsibility to force himself into the team."
The call up was also made to four U-19 players represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year.
The four players — Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Rahim Ali and Rahul KP — all of whom are part of AIFF's developmental team Indian Arrows will be reporting to the Camp in Delhi from July 28 onwards.
Among the others, 29 are current U-23 players with Sumeet Passi being the sole senior player (above 23) named in the list of 34 probables.
