It seems that the rise of Manipur in football is not liked by some as it is threatening to challenge their hegemony in Indian football.

From now on, November 17, 2005 will always be referred as a ‘Black Day’ of Indian football. No, this time our national team has not performed poorly. It was the turn of the organizers. The greedy organizers of Air India Express Santosh Trophy have denied Manipur its rightful place in the semi finals of the tournament by showing total disrespect to the laws of the game.      The organizers wanted Manipur to be out of the tournament and they did exactly that with the help of match referee Shaji Kurien.

In the last couple of years, Manipur has emerged as one of the major forces in Indian football. Manipuri boys are performing creditably in all major tournaments of the country for their respective clubs. From Gunabir Singh to Tomba Singh, Manipur has produced many footballers in recent times. Football loving people of the country now refer Manipur as the nursery of India football.

It seems that the rise of Manipur in football was not liked by some as the tiny North-Eastern State is threatening to challenge their hegemony in Indian football. They are hell bent upon to show Manipur football in poor lights. They tried to do that when the National Championship was held in Imphal, but could not succeed. This time it was a different story. Not only they have managed to oust Manipur from the tournament, but also they are threatening to take actions against four Manipuri footballers, who are considered as the backbone of the Manipuri team.

It all started in the quarter final league match between Manipur and Goa. While Manipur needed a win to qualify for the next stage, Goa needed a draw to advance to the next stage. Manipur players performed creditably in that do or die match. They kept their more fancied opponent at bay and took the lead in the 88th minute through a Tomba free kick.

The real drama started after Manipur took the lead. While Manipuri players celebrating the goal, the referee started the match without waiting for the Manipuri players to come back to their half and taking advantage of the numerical superiority Goa scored the equalizer. Manipuri players protested without any result. The organizers got what they wanted – a semi final berth for Goa. Like the players on the field, Manipur also protested against    the grave injustice. A bandh was called, protest rallies were held, Manipur Football Association has threatened to severe ties with All India Football Federation.

A protest rally was also organised in which sportspersons, sports lovers and leaders of different NGOs  participated. It started from Khuman Lampak and made its way to BOAT where a public meeting was held. Another  rally started from Khuman Lampak main stadium and snaked through the back side of the stadium and proceeded towards Minuthong, Hatta Golapati, New Checkon and converged at BOAT at Palace Compound. An all-party delegation from the State went to Delhi to bring it to the notice of Central leaders like Shivraj Patil, Oscar Fernandes. AIFF president has also been approached. All of them have assured to look into the matter and assured to do the needful. ‘Come what may, truth must be established and measures of AIFF shall accordingly follow the suit’, P. R. Das Munshi AIFF president said in a statement.

This year’s Santosh Trophy had witnessed some great moments. But it’s a pity that in future this    tournament will always be remembered as the one in which Manipur’s dream was murdered.

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