Imphal, Sept 15: Ngamgouhou Mate, the captain of the U-16 Indian Football Team, has no home to stay in Manipur due to the ongoing violence in Manipur, his parents are currently taking shelter at relief camps.
Mate’s house was burned down by the miscreants during the ethnic violence.
After his return from Thimphu as a proud captain of U-16 Indian Football team by becoming the defending champion of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) under 16 Championship, his parents have to welcome him in a relief camp at
Kangpokpi district.
However, the young Indian captain, despite “no home to stay,” looked forward to peace in Manipur.
The Blue Colts Captain, Ngamgouhou Mate, thanked the Almighty God for helping the Indian team clinch the prestigious title in the form of giving all his teammates good health, wisdom to the coach and staff, good coordination among the players and coach and staff, etc.
Nagmgouhou Mate said, “First of all, I thank God for giving us the opportunity and helping us to become the defending champion. Our state has been affected by violence, and I personally look forward to and appeal for peace. Peace should be restored in Manipur because the people are suffering”.
Another footballer, Vumlenlal Hangshing, who also participated in the football championship, expressed his happiness after they became the defending champion.
Vumlenlal Hangshing, the left-back player, said, “It is like a nightmare for me and my team, and we are extremely proud of our coach and the staff who guided us throughout the championship and provided us with good training”.
He said that we, the players, are from different communities, including the two warring communities from Manipur, but our ethnic diversity was our driving force in clinching the prestigious title.
“We (the Meitei and Kukis) have no issue with the violence. We stayed together, ate together, and slept together. We are very friendly and have even joked together. Only football can make this possible”, he added.
He also said that lifting the Champion Trophy together with our friend from the Meitei community will also pave the way towards peace in Manipur.
Three young talented footballers from the Kuki community, namely, Ngamgouhou Mate (15), Vumlenlal Hangshing (15) and Levis Jangminlun Haokip (15), who participated in the championship. They participated in the 23 strong Indian squad in the 8th edition of the SAFF U-16 championship at Thimphu in Bhutan.
After clinching the defending champion title for the fifth time, the Kuki Students Organisation Sadar Hills, under the aegis of the Kuki Students’ Organisation General Headquarters, organised a reception ceremony for the Blue Colts Captain and another two players from the Kuki community at the KSO Sadar Hills Administrative Office building on Thursday at 3:00 pm in the presence of the Kuki Inpi Manipur.
KIM President Ch. Ajang Khongsai, in his exhortation speech, conveyed KIM’s appreciation to all three Kuki footballers who brought fame and laurels to the country despite the trying times faced by the community.
He also encouraged them to keep their distance from any kind of intoxicants and other elements that could ruin their future careers, rather emphasising good moral character, discipline, and healthy habits that can lead them to bring more laurels and fame for the country and the community.
The Indian team captain, Ngamgouhou Mate, and Vumlenlal Hangshing also thanked the former Indian footballer Reneddy Singh from the Meitei community for believing in them (he and Captain Ngamgouhou) and providing the opportunity to participate in the trial or selection.
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