Picture an old town with lovely communities brimming with historic charm and scenic beauty; rolling hills, rivers, churches, paddy fields, small cafes, football turfs bordering the town with beautiful seasonal flowers and fruits to be found all year long; everyone knows everyone in some way or the other, and different communities having their personalities, backstories and ways of doing things yet sharing the same passion for the beautiful game — Football. And you’ll be here, at Lamka.
In times when communities are divided in bitterness and disputation and chaos erupt for vague causes. When streets are overflowed with alcoholics, addicts, unemployed and hypocrites to people begging, getting high, stealing and selling. When people are lost – in deeper confusion, insecurities and discouraged without vision and hope. This small town is in desperate need of a light somewhere along the tunnel.
However, the uniquely unifying power of sports and the loyalty the community has to football, in particular, makes all of us stronger and brings the people closer together, creating hope where there was only despair. Football was always followed fervently here in Lamka, a borderland town and the headquarter of the Southern Hill District – also called Churachandpur in Manipur. Back in the days when Doordarshan telecast matches of the World Cup, television entered a few privileged homes in this small town. The love affair with World Cup football or the Olympics was immense during the late 80s, the 90s and into the early 2000s. If one questions the generation belonging to this era, they would often get nostalgic remembering the way football matches were watched in those glory days – together. Not everyone could afford a television set and the entire village raided the house whose owner was kind enough to let everyone watch. Locals were crazy about the game and the enthusiasm brought by the magical feet of Pele and Maradona to Zidane, Ronaldo, and Beckham have enthralled them with their crafts, becoming the talk of the town.
There was a sense of belonging in all this craziness and unity that flowed all over the nooks and corners of the hills. Football is in their blood – the one thing besides religion that has so strongly affected the people of this region. It has the power to attract and engage youths, keeping them away from drugs and crime, which is unparalleled. For instance, throw a football in a community and you have children and youths gravitating towards the ball. It is amazing how a game of football can bring everyone together as one. The role of the game in strengthening the youth of today is remarkably instrumental; the most effective and endless process of character education programs. This town has produced a few national-level footballers; the likes of Khanthang Paite, Siam Hanghal, David Ngaihte and Sebastian Zou amongst others who have all made it to several top I-league and Indian Super League (ISL) clubs while some have gone on to play for different football clubs and academies in the country.
Though the history of football in Lamka may not date back very far, for an otherwise under-developed town, it is a breeding ground of football talent. However, with no resources and a long sustainable proper league structure here, the majority of the kids are obligated to stop dreaming and start living a life of uncomplaining hardships after a certain age and this has been the real tragedy of the place; talent and potential eventually ending up in drinking sessions in small dingy cabins; in cynicism and mockery. A tale of an old working-class town overshadowed by the lack of sports facilities owing to the boundless enormous prodigious talents this place has to offer; only the fortunate ones make it out while there is a handful failing to find the breakthrough and transition – well within grasp yet too slippery to catch.
Life is a series of ever-changing plots that we constantly have to adapt to. However, there is one constant that hummed along like the soothing sound of raindrops falling on a tin roof; the renowned Lamka Football Ground in the heart of the town. A football pitch with a cross towering in the backdrop amidst the scenic hills and mid-autumn sky changing from orange to a hundred shades of pink to a dark navy blue. Just like any other in the northeast’s hilly tracts, this is what a football ground looks, feels and behaves like around the slopes. Sub-tropical monsoon showers and a regular sprinkling of rain through the rest of the year make the pitch difficult to tend or keep under control and worse, even fail to offer reasonable playing surfaces. People who otherwise have little in common have come together here, as fans and as players, putting those differences aside for the sake of their teams. Ninety minutes wherein people from every class and age gather around to watch, cheering their hometown team to victory.
Our so-called leaders have also continued to leverage football as a means to reopen Diplomatic Dialogue and make Political Campaigns by organising tournaments from time to time. Like elsewhere in the Northeast of India, locals in Lamka are crazy about the game, and the enthusiasm brought by a variety of players from different villages and localities to the dusty football ground had enthralled them with their crafts for years and years now; helping us realise we share much more than what divaricate us. Over the years, Lamka Football Ground has hosted some of the most prestigious tournaments and gives platforms to fresh talents.
Churachandpur District Sports Association (CDSA), the District governing body of football runs a four-tier league system with the (L) Lianboi Simte Memorial Super Division at the top followed by the First, Second and Third divisions respectively. The Hmar Martyrs’ Trophy, Seikam Memorial Tournament and Raja Goukhothang Guite Football Memoriam are other fiercely competitive tournaments in the town. While some notable clubs like the Leatherites and Zomi Football Club fail to stay in the long run after having their fair share of glory, some of the currently active football clubs in the town (Lamka Sports Club, Ganggam Soccer Club, New Lamka Youth Club, Lenlai Club, Zenhang Lamka Youth Club, Bungmual Youth Club, Symropia Football Club and United Khawzim Brothers) battle out for a chance to represent the district at the State League (highest level football tournament in Manipur) Winners’ Cup and CC Meet.
With the town’s footballing scenario showing promising growth and an increase in its fan base, it would have been meaningless if there were no regular supply of talented youngsters locally and an influx of football academies; the Happy Feet, Shepherds, NYFS, PLL, Vision and more in the last few years is making its steadfast presence on the ground; cheers to the highly qualified coaches and dedicated individuals focusing on the development of grassroots football – the path-breakers for producing the best of talents in the town.
One such is the Lamka Sports Club (LSC) academy, which previously partnered with NHPC Loktak Project for a year, now self-sustained. The Hiangtam Lamka based outfit; one of the oldest, most consistent and decorated football clubs in Lamka dating back to the early 70s, has been nurturing local boys to develop their footballing skills and talents under the proficient and vigilant eyes of its staff; providing state of the art training facilities, free of cost. “It is more blessed to give than to receive and the dignity and honour in selfless service held its satisfaction,” exclaims Siasiam; a legend of the game, now part of the coaching staff at LSC with his fellow mate, Gogou.
The duo was a tremendous attacking threat throughout their playing career, waltzing past defensive lines with ease — one the provider and the other with the finishing touch. Siasiam was the epitome of a midfield general equipped with extraordinary technical prowess and his ability to deliver pinpoint passes to open up defences was akin to that of Xavi in modern-day football. In contrast, Gogou was a typical No. 9 with his pace, intelligence and poaching instincts making him one of the greatest goalscorers in his heydays. Their reign, however, may not have lasted as long as they wanted it yet the duo’s contribution is ingrained deep in the club’s history. Even now, long after their playing days, the pair happen to walk in the same circles with both taking on coaching roles at their beloved Lamka Sports Club. They have retained a fondness for their roots and came out of retirement to help their boyhood club, giving their footballing knowledge back into the football soil from which they sprung – teaching the next generation early what they learned late.
“I love playing a small-sided game before and after school with my friends,” says Lalal, a six-year-old boy who had just started playing football with his hometown club. Living in the housing blocks beside the ground, Lalal is a die-hard fan of LSC and dreams to play for the old classic green and yellow someday. Dreams do come true; but in this little football-crazed town where fortune precedes opportunity, only those prepared to face the unknown shall see their dreams flourish.
H. Luaisangmuan is a football lover, independent researcher and content writer based in Delhi.
Muanvanglian Tonsing is a football enthusiast, currently pursuing Bachelors in Physical Education and Sports Science (Football) at LNIPE, Gwalior.
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