FOOTBALL GIVES THEM A KICK

For the children of Manipur and Mizoram, the great game is a way to a prosperous future

- SALIL BERA AND NILADRY SARKAR

Nestled amid the undulating hills and verdant valleys of northeast India are two states that cherish a football culture which is as magnificent as the landscape. Despite their relatively small populations, Manipur and Mizoram have, for more than a decade, produced the highest number of footballers to play for India at various age groups.

This success can be attributed to several factors, including a deep-rooted passion for the sport, robust grass-roots development programmes and a supportive community that nurtures young talent from an early age. In these regions, football is more than a game; it is a pathway to a prosperous future away from antisocial activities. It unites communities, offering hope and inspiring dreams of glory in remote regions where opportunities are scarce.

As the evening clouds play hide and seek with Mizoram's mountains, children kick the ball around at the Beck's Academy in Tanhril, a few kilometres from Aizawl, the capital city. “I want to become a footballer and support my family,” said 13-year-old Lalhmingmawia, who lives with his single mother and 16-year-old sister.

Lalhmingmawia, a class-topper and avid Real Madrid fan, is a self-assured boy. He is well aware of his talent, and while he dreams of becoming a footballer, he is determined to work hard and pursue a career in the police force if football does not pan out. His mother, Lalthakimi, said: “His confidence comes from his football practice. Football has made him a sensible child.” The same was echoed by other parents, who consider football academies safe spaces.

The Beck’s Academy, headed by FIFA C licensed coach Ananad Gurung, has produced many young players who went on to train at the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Academy in Mumbai.