Manipur Violence: Meitei, Kuki footballers unite for India at SAFF U-16 Championship 2023

Amid ongoing Manipur violence, which saw nearly 200 deaths while thousands have been displaced since May, young footballers of Meetei and Kuki united at the Indian football team to win the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 in Bhutan on Saturday (September 9).

Two of them scored the winning goals in India U-16 team's 2-0 triumph over Bangladesh with Meitei's Bharat Lairenjam and Kuki's Levis Zangminlun setting aside the two communities' differences to score the winning goals.

In total 11 of the Indian players featured from the Meitei community and four from that of Kukis. Speaking after the game, Bharat said: "Although players belong to different communities in the team, we mingle together happily in good team spirit.

"My teammate, midfielder Levis, told me before the match I should score to win the match... and his goal was a crucial one for India to grab the title. I rushed to him and gave him a tight hug!"

Meanwhile, Levis Zangminlun dedicated his goal to send a peaceful message while hoping that the passion of the game will help people unite. "...My confidence came as I scored the second goal. Football serves as our passion... uniting and allowing us to set aside differences," the young boy, who also plays for a Hyderabad club, said.

Sports holds a special place in the heart of Manipur with several iconic sportspeople hailing from the state, including Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu, Sarita Devi, and Dingko Singh among others. It's the leading state in women's football with legendary Oinam Bembem Devi as the biggest name. Several male players have left their mark as well.

India's sole World Cup goal scorer Jeakson Singh, against Colombia during the FIFA U-17 World Cup, was seven of the Manipur footballers, who featured for India at the U-17 World Cup in 2017 at home, including other senior internationals Amarjit Singh Kiyam.