Kohima: Nagaland’s football fraternity is in deep mourning following the death of William Koso, one of the state’s top football coaches and educators, on Tuesday.
He was 44.
Koso was reportedly the first coach from Nagaland to earn the AFC A license, and has played a key role in bringing the Nagaland Super League to the state, serving as the technical committee convenor for the league.
Abu Metha, Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his grief, calling Koso’s demise “shocking and unbearably painful.”
“Only a few hours ago, we were in deep conversation… You were a member of the family, the sports fraternity… We had so many plans to take our footballers to the very top,” Metha wrote.
Hailed as Nagaland’s highest-ranked coach and one of the most qualified football educators, Koso was regarded as the backbone of the state’s football development system. His mentorship shaped the careers of many current and upcoming footballers and coaches, leaving an indelible mark on the game.
“In the recent weeks, we worked closely together as we brought the Nagaland Super League into shape. On many occasions, we stayed up late into the early hours of the morning discussing development and future plans. He would have played a central role in all our strategies,” Metha added.
In light of Koso’s passing, the Nagaland Super League (NSL) Governing Body has decided to postpone Playoff Match 2 as a mark of respect. The match between Barak FC and Nagaland United, originally scheduled for March 25 at 4:30 PM, will now take place on March 26 at the same venue and time.
The NSL Governing Body extended its deepest condolences to Koso’s bereaved family and loved ones, stating, “His contribution, dedication, and presence will be deeply missed by the entire football fraternity of Nagaland.”
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