CHENNAI: There is something with troubled environs and football. For, most football-hugging states in the world have either the past or present embroiled in civil unrest, be it Germany or Spain or the terrorinfested flaky clusters of the former Soviet Republic.
Similar is the state of affairs in Manipur, seething with over four decades of secessionist discontent, curfews, rebels and tribal skirmishes.
Yet, the beautiful game has flourished in the state and had churned out noteworthy players in bounty.
From Gopeshwar in the 1960s to Gunabir, Khambiton and Rennedy in the 1990s to the more recent Bungo, Naoba Singh and Gourmangi, the number of Singhs who have represented India from this state is swelling by the day. Besides being the home to 200- odd players plying their wares across the country, the state women’s side has been the reigning champions for the last 12 years. So what is it that makes the state a breeding ground for so many players? Explained Manipur team coach Birbal Singh, “It’s in their genes, blood, and culture. There is so much of passion for the game in the state that every village has a small ground where kids and elders, boys and girls play football every day.” Pertinently, the All Manipur Football Association realises the importance of systemised training and improving the game’s standards from the grassroots.
One of the earliest States to earnestly implement the Vision India Project, the state also organises a school league. “The boys will get trained in schools till 13 and then will be picked up by the local clubs where they would undergo further training till 18. Senior division clubs would then pick them up. Besides, we have U-19 and U-16 leagues for boys and a U-17 tournament for girls. There is also inter-district league for boys and girls,” he explained.
Though a formal league was established only in 2006, the club-system was prevalent as early as the 19th century. The game flourished under the patronage of Maharaja Churachand, who formed the Churachand Team. Shortly, clubs like Johnstone and Battalion popped up. “But football as a culture gained momentum only after the tribes learned the game. Nothing can match the intensity of inter-tribe matches,” said Birbal.
Still in the toddling stage, the senior division is yet to be fully professional. Birbal outlines the basic constraints. “Because of the frequent strikes and political rallies, fixtures have to be changed regularly.
Also, the clubs here have a meagre income and can’t afford to pay so much to the players.
The highest-rated player here earns around Rs 50,000 a season which isn’t much compared to those playing in other states. Jobs, therefore, are necessary to supplement earnings from football,” he said. Once the club structure, too, fledges fully, expect more players from this miniscule state.
