When Manipur’s India Footballer Chinglensana ‘Lost Everything’ & Skipped Tournaments

Imphal: The unending ethnic violence in Manipur has not spared even India footballer Konsam Chinglensana Singh.

The 26-year-old defender, who plays in ISL for Hyderabad FC, had to skip two international tournaments in June-July to return home and be with his family during the challenging and unnerving time.

Chinglensana’s family was one of hundreds to be affected by the ethnic tension. Armed miscreants vandalised his house and football turf located in Churachandpur district’s Khumujama Leikai, forcing his family members to shift to a relief centre.

Chinglensana was busy with Hyderabad FC’s campaign in AFC Cup playoffs in the first week of May when he came to know through a series of text messages and missed calls that he had lost almost everything back home.

“It (Manipur violence) has taken away everything from us, everything we earned, everything we had,” Chinglensana told PTI.

“I heard the news of our house being torched and then the football turf that I built in Churachandpur was burnt. It was really heartbreaking… I had the big dream of providing a platform to the youngsters but it was taken away. Fortunately, my family escaped the violence and was shifted to a relief centre,” he revealed.

Chinglensana, who made his senior debut for Shillong Lajong in I-League seven years ago, developed as a reliable defender and has made 11 international appearances for India.

That was set to increase India’s Head coach Igor Stimac wanted him in the squads for Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship. But the footballer had to take a call, for the sake of his family.