Riches to rags: dissecting a decline

His dream lies shattered.

8220;Such things happen in football. Brazil were the best team of the 2006 World Cup8230;8221; said Shanti Singh, in a bid to cheer up the kid making his debut in Santosh Trophy this year.

Agreed. Such things do happen. But, a close look at the state of affairs in Manipur football reveals a gory tale of the state, a reflection of the national footballing scenario as a whole.

Manipur today has the highest representation in club football in the country. For almost a decade now no national team, junior and senior, has ever taken the field without a Manipuri in its line-up. The Indian team looked very Manipur-ish not so long ago. Even their Subroto Cup teams have left a strong impression year after year.

All this on sheer talent and hard work. Because like all North-east states Manipur too lacks in infrastructure in its rural areas. What happens when they play for the state? Mind you, despite the talent, Manipur have won the Santosh Trophy only once.

8220;I don8217;t know,8221; was Shanti Singh8217;s initial answer. Anger and anguish quite clear in the stern face of the 56-year-old.

8220;There are many factors that led to our downfall this time. We missed the services of three of our experienced mid-fielders 8212; Dharamjit Singh, James Singh and Tomba Singh 8212; to injuries while Sushil Kumar, Basun and Govind had to be at the under-20 national camp. We met late as a team: on September 21, with the first match on September 22. We lost mainly due to poor preparation.8221;

But is 2006 an exception then?

8220;They are great players but the killer instinct is missing,8221; said Shanti Singh, referring to the senior members of the team. 8220;They don8217;t go flat out, afraid they may pick up some injuries which will jeopardise their club future,8221; he added.

8220;Such tournaments are not luring too. There are no incentives for the seniors. Newcomers, though, if they play well can hope to get noticed by some clubs,8221; says Singh.

Bijen Singh, one of Manipur8217;s main strikers in the Indian team once, vehemently refutes this. 8220;Playing for one8217;s state is a matter of pride,8221; says Bijen. 8220;That is what one dreams of as a youngster. To represent your state first and then your country. The question of money or other rewards just doesn8217;t arise. Those things are just a bonus if one plays well.8221;

Then what is wrong with Manipur?

8220;This time it was plain bad luck,8221; he said.

And recklessness. Why else would Surkumar Singh chase a Chattisgarh player for 20 yards before elbowing him only to be red carded for the offence in the very 19th minute of such an important game?

There8217;s no reply to that. Surkumar didn8217;t speak to his coach after the incident and left the camp much before his other team members did.

Does this mean that teams and players have stopped giving importance to the Santosh Trophy. 8220;Even the AIFF is not giving much importance to it. Why else would the AIFF regulate to release players from club duty just five days before the tournament? In 2002 we were together for three months and the results was there for all to see,8221; reiterated the coach.

The biggest losers in the whole bargain are the newcomers like Manimohan who bank on such tournaments for their passport to stardom.