നാഗാലാൻഡ് മന്ത്രി തെംജെൻ ഇംന അലോങ്ങ് ഐഎഫ്എൽ ട്രോഫി തട്ടിയെടുക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ അഭിനയിച്ച രസകരമായ വീഡിയോ സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയയിൽ വൈറലായി. ഒരു പരിപാടിക്കിടെ ട്രോഫി ഉയർത്തിപ്പിടിച്ച് അദ്ദേഹം നടത്തിയ തമാശ കാണികളിൽ ചിരി പടർത്തി. നാഗാലാൻഡ് യുണൈറ്റഡ് ടീമിന് പിന്തുണ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച മന്ത്രി, ടീം ഈ ട്രോഫി സ്വന്തമാക്കുമെന്ന് പ്രത്യാശ പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു.
Nagaland minister Temjen Imna Along playfully lifted the IFL trophy before returning it amid laughter. The light-hearted moment highlighted his support for Nagaland United and Naga sport.
Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along had a little fun with the Indian Football League (IFL) trophy, briefly picking up the giant silverware as though he was about to walk away with it, before putting it back amid laughter from the crowd.
Along, who holds the portfolios of Higher Education and Tourism, shared the video on his official Instagram account, showing his playful moment with the trophy during an event.
In the clip, the minister stood on stage beside the trophy, smiling and waving at the cameras. He then picked up the massive piece of silverware and appeared to walk away with it. However, he stopped midway, burst into laughter and returned the trophy to its place before posing for more pictures.
Along accompanied the video with a humorous caption, saying that since the team jersey did not come in his size, he had turned up in a white shirt instead. He also expressed his support for Nagaland United, adding that while they had now seen the trophy, it was the team's turn to bring it home.
Watch the video here:
The light-hearted moment received plenty of reactions online. One user appreciated the minister's enthusiasm, saying that more leaders should actively promote and support Naga participation in football and other sports.
Another joked that they had initially thought he was simply picking up his water bottle.
A third admitted to being worried when Along lifted the trophy, recalling how members of the IFL team had carried the 16-kg silverware around Kohima for photographs, leaving their arms sore.
The Indian Football League (IFL), formerly known as the I-League, is one of India's premier professional men's football competitions. Organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the league provides clubs from across the country a platform to compete at the national level.
It has also played an important role in developing Indian football talent and giving regional clubs an opportunity to make their mark.