Imphal: A state where poverty and political clashes are a daily routine, football is also a major way to a different lifestyle. Manipur have stolen a march over the other football-playing states, with a representation of eight footballers in the Indian squad for the U-17 World Cup – the highest from any state. It is no mean feat considering the fact that most of the players from Manipur do not even get the chance to train with proper infrastructure.
The eight who have been selected to the Indian squad are Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Boris Singh Thangjam, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Jackson Singh Thounaojam, Md Shah Jahan, Nongdamba Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam and Ningthoinganba Meitei. It should also be stated that Amarjit has been chosen to lead the side.
Their success story can easily be termed ‘rags to riches tale’ as the Manipur government has announced an award of Rs 5,00,000 for each. In addition, Manipur’s sports minister Leptao Haokip has given each of the players Rs 10,000. Also he has announced that two family members of all those selected to the squad from Manipur will be provided with tickets to watch the India matches and their travelling and boarding expenses will be taken by the state government.
However, it has not been an easy journey for the eight. Poverty have ruled their lives always, though it is changing now. Ningthoinganba’s father, who was a milk vendor, passed away only two months back. “The only time we smiled after his demise was when my brother got selected to the Indian squad,” Ningthoinganba’s sister Sana has been quoted by saying in a vernacular daily.
Shah Jahan’s father is a tailor while Boris’s father does daily odd jobs to sustain his son’s needs. Amarjit’s mother is a fish vendor, but then her son as made her proud. Being the Indian captain’s mother has helped her get a prime location in a local market here. Both dad and mom shelled out Rs 6,000 from their piggy bank to send their son to the national football academy in Chandigarh. The smiles on their faces today, however, amply demonstrate that their efforts and toil have not gone to waste.
“Getting noticed by Nicolai Adam (former coach) and training in foreign countries and conditions have been a major turning point in my life,” Amarjit has been quoted as saying. His mother now proudly tells everyone in the fish market, ‘my son is the captain of India’.
agencies
