Manipur’s remote fields shape India’s sporting future

12 June 2025, ANI, Senapati & Tamenglong (Manipur): Tucked away in the rolling hills, Senapati — one of Manipur’s remotest districts — beats with the rhythm of football. Here, the game isn’t just played; it’s lived. Fuelled by passion and grit, young talents are turning Manipur into a rising powerhouse of Indian football. Among them, Yuno Richard stands tall — his walls lined with medals, his story written in sweat and discipline. Every dawn and dusk on the field brings him one step closer to his dream. Young players like Yuno Richard are breathing new life into Manipur’s football landscape. With growing access to the internet and media, the youth are now dreaming bigger — aiming for national and even international recognition. Government initiatives have begun transforming rural sports infrastructure, bringing playgrounds, training centers, and equipment to even the village level. Supporting this momentum, NGOs and local clubs are stepping in to train and nurture raw talent, opening doors to competition and opportunity across the region. In Manipur, football isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life, woven into the very fabric of the state. Its overwhelming popularity has led to the creation of synthetic football turfs across several districts, including Senapati and Tamenglong, where young players eagerly make the most of these modern facilities.