Kuki-Meitei duo from strife-torn Manipur score as India create football history
FOOTBALL 'RETURNS' AS MANIPUR LOOKS FOR PEACE !!
The two goals that stunned Iran came from players belonging to Manipur's warring communities.
India's U17 football team created history by qualifying for the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The 2-0 victory came against soccer powerhouse Iran, and it was a Meitei and a Kuki player from strife-torn Manipur who scored for India. Even as Manipur remains divided, the united effort on the field gives hope for peace.
For the first time in over two-and-a-half years, the words "Kuki" and "Meitei" have been hyphenated in a headline that was not about violence in Manipur.
India's Under-17 football team scripted history on Sunday night by beating Asian powerhouse Iran 2-1 in their final AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifier at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, securing qualification for the finals in Saudi Arabia next year.
Iran scored first in the 19th minute. Just before half-time, Dallalmuon Gangte, equalised with a penalty. Then, forward Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam struck the winner on a counter-attack, sealing India's 2-1 victory and qualification.
Back in Manipur, where ethnic clashes since May 2023 have displaced over 60,000 people and claimed more than 250 lives, there is still a division on social media. Meitei community pages hailed their boy, while Kuki pages celebrated their player.
But the goals they scored were for India. Some handles and accounts did highlight that and spoke of it as a hope for peace.
"Congratulations Team India. Interestingly, the two goals for India were scored by a Kuki and Meitei (D Gangte and G Wangkheirakpam) to qualify for AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026," Meitei Heritage Society posted on X, adding, "Sports Unite. Let's hope Peace Comes To Our State Manipur Soon!"
The official 23-member squad announced by the All India Football Federation contains nine players from Manipur—seven Meitei and two Kuki.
Manipur has long been Indian football's most productive talent factory.
Saturday's result marks only the third time India have qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup finals in the last 20 years. A top-four finish in Saudi Arabia would earn a ticket to the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, a dream that is still far-fetched.
In the relief camps that still dot Imphal valley and the hills of Churachandpur, Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi, football remains that one activity that needs no permission from security forces or the authorities.
Children can be seen playing football barefeet inside camp compounds. In Imphal, where grounds lay deserted during the first year after the conflict, matches have now resumed.
A year after the conflict, community leaders on both sides admitted that anger had turned into fatigue. People now just want life to return to normal.
The conflict that the authorities have struggled to control for over past 2.5 years, football has managed to ease.
Players from both communities have been in team India at the national camp in Goa since August.
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