BENGALURU: After the high of the Tri-Nation football tournament in Imphal in March, when nearly 25-30 thousand people packed the stadium to watch the India team — which had seven players from Manipur — in action, the young footballers in the state are now facing uncertain times. The mindless violence over the last few months has turned their lives upside down.
According to state football officials and professional players, who were part of the Manipur State League (MSL) last season, there has been an exodus of players while many are now in the forefront to protect their villagers from rioters.
“I was at my village border with a licensed gun for many nights to protect my villagers from attacks,” a professional footballer who played in the MSL told TOI from Manipur.
