Ukhrul: The Naga Shot-Stopper, Jersey No. 40, James Kithan, brought home a victorious wave on April 13th, 2024, with Mohammedan Sporting Club claiming the I-League Title of the 17th Season, 2023-2024. The star netminder, Kithan, is the only Naga player who has won two I-League titles: for Gokulam Kerala in the 2021-22 season and for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the 2023-24 season. He is the most prominent and successful goalkeeper of all time in the chronicles of Naga football history. This successful career has paved the way for budding athletes of Nagaland.
The recent I-League title of Mohammedan Sporting Club has laid the road to the ISL. The club, founded in 1891 and based in Kolkata, West Bengal, is one of the oldest clubs in India. Kithan is currently awaiting new signing contract calls from his club as Mohammedan Sporting Club gears up to embark on the top-tier football league of the Indian football system, the Indian Super League. Kithan is presumably on the road to the ISL, which will possibly rank him as the second footballer from Nagaland to sign up for the ISL after Kivi Zhimomi, who signed up for North East United FC.
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The 29-year-old goalkeeper is a Lotha Naga, the icon of true passion and determination in the field of sports. In a conversation with Ukhrul Times, he opens a discussion on how he has been breaking barriers in the field of sports as a career. He stated, “I have brought two I-League titles to Nagaland, yet I still struggle to get recognized for my achievements. Nothing has gotten easier because I still have to shoulder the responsibility on my own, financially, mentally, and physically. Speaking of football as my profession, I have always been breaking barriers right from my doorstep, my family, my circle, and my state. Often, concerns are always narrowed about my economic stability in earning rather than my successful stories as an inspiration.”
Kithan started playing at the age of 19; he left his education for the genuine love that he has for football and the game. He joined his first club in 2012, a local club named Kohima Komets, where he started his football career. He recalls his participation in the Nagaland State League, where many young players’ hopes were on the league to help them advance in their careers, but the league, after two years, failed, shattering many young players’ dreams who had left their education to focus on sports as their career. He also opens up about how the state has been failing in organizing platforms, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems, which have decimated many young dreams.
Kithan had a flight of career from a muddy ground to an international arena. Kithan mentioned, “I had a share of struggle; I’m still struggling, but the only thing I don’t quit football in Nagaland for is the young Naga athletes. I’m living their dream with my success and hard work so that they can live their dream. I am here to affirm they can. My seniors, they were a disappointment for me; I just had to struggle all along the way. I want to be a hope; if I can make it to this level, I want to assure the upcoming players that you can do better; just do not give up, but hard work and perseverance are a must. Sometimes I feel like giving up, with lots of challenges, setbacks, and self-doubt, yet it is my responsibility to make a change, to give hope and to look at the aspect with a new perspective.”
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Kithan got his career in line when he was summoned to play in Kolkata for Peerless, after which he moved to his current team, Mohammedan Sporting Club. He also moved to Viva Chennai. Kithan joined Churchill Brothers prior to the 2017–18 I-League season. He signed for Gokulam Kerala FC in 2021 and first participated in the Kerala Premier League with the reserve team. Kithan had a glorious stay at Gokulam Kerala FC and won his first I-League title in the 2021-22 season. He then moved to Delhi FC but had a short stay and signed for his old club, Mohammedan SC, adding another title to his career. Kithan is on the road to greatness and transcending the realm of athletics, becoming symbols of determination, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
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