Not a political rally but a district level match
Writer: Deepshikha Chatterjee Chatterjee
Post graduate in literature with an opinion on almost everything. Voracious reader and an avid sports fan.
31 Aug 2017 12:02 PM GMT
Editor : Deepshikha Chatterjee Chatterjee
Post graduate in literature with an opinion on almost everything. Voracious reader and an avid sports fan.
At first glance, the image might look like a crowd welcome that befits a celebrity or a politician. But for the people of Churachandpur, there is something infinitely more important than those.
The image was shared by Twitter user Gracy Haokip. The crowds are at the final match of the Churachandpur District Super League football.
District divsion league Final match in Churachandpur district of Manipur.. pic.twitter.com/0tqXTX1dGH
— gracy haokip (@GracyHaokip) August 30, 2017
Northeast has always been known for its love for sports- especially martial arts and football. In fact, an all new restructuring of the sport came in the form of the Mizoram Premier League which is the state’s highest football league. The league was predominantly responsible for the meteoric rise of Aizawl FC. In fact, the club’s I-League run was touted as nothing less than a fairy tale.
A complete overhaul of district level football in the states has certainly given us players and achievements to be proud of.
More recently, Oinam Bembem Devi was crowned with the Arjuna Award. She has been the longest playing member of the Indian Women’s football team. It took a long time for her achievements to be recognised as the Arjuna Award was long due. In her statement after the recommendations were announced, she explained that she would like to dedicate the award to all girls willing to take up sports professionally.
Manipur is also home to the legendary Mary Kom.
With such a rich tradition of history, it is quite sad that the North Eastern states are ignored the way they are.