9 Manipuri footballers in SAFF title squad meet CM, seek women's football boost
Synopsis
Manipur sent nine of India's 23 players to the SAFF Women's Championship-winning squad — the largest single-state contribution. Now those players are at the Chief Minister's door, warning that talent drain and poor career prospects could erode that dominance. The state's answer will matter for Indian women's football far beyond Imphal.
Key Takeaways
Nine Manipuri players met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Imphal on 27 June after India's 6th SAFF Women's Championship win.
Manipur contributed 9 of 23 players in India's title-winning squad — the largest single-state bloc.
India defeated Bangladesh 3-1 in the final at Margao, Goa on 6 June , winning a record-extending sixth SAFF title .
Four Manipuri players also represented India at the 2023 Asian Games in China; several featured in the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia.
Players warned that talent drain outside the state risks reducing Manipur's representation in the national team.
The delegation requested annual women's football tournaments and better career advancement for sportspersons in government service.
Nine Manipuri players from India's 6th SAFF Women's Championship-winning squad met Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Imphal on Saturday, 27 June, urging sustained state support for women's football and better career pathways for sportspersons in government service. The delegation highlighted that Manipur contributed the largest single-state bloc to the title-winning Indian squad.
Manipur's Outsized Role in India's SAFF Win
Of the 23 players in India's championship-winning squad, nine — more than a third — hailed from Manipur, according to a senior official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). India clinched the title on 6 June, defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa, securing the country's record-extending sixth SAFF Women's Championship title.
The nine Manipuri players in the title-winning squad are: Dangmei Grace (Striker), Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Goalkeeper), Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi (Defender), Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu (Defender), Yumnam Sarita (Defender), Hemam Shilky Devi (Defender), Naorem Priyangka Devi (Midfielder), Serto Lynda Kom (Striker), and Toijam Thoibisana Devi (Defender).
Continental and Multi-Sport Representation
The delegation also informed Chief Minister Singh that several of the nine players had represented India beyond the SAFF stage. A number of them featured in the AFC Women's Asian Cup held in Australia, after the Indian women's team qualified for the continental tournament for the first time in 23 years. Additionally, four of the Manipuri players represented India at the 2023 Asian Games in China — underscoring the state's growing footprint in elite women's football.
Key Concerns Raised by the Players
The players flagged a structural challenge: many talented Manipuri footballers are reportedly compelled to seek employment outside the state, risking a decline in the number of Manipur-origin players in the national team over time. The delegation appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure this trend is reversed and requested the organisation of annual women's football tournaments to strengthen grassroots development, widen exposure for young players, and sustain a steady talent pipeline for the Indian national team.
They also urged the government to improve career advancement and promotional opportunities for sportspersons serving in state government departments, in recognition of their achievements on the field.
Chief Minister's Response
Chief Minister Singh, himself a lifelong Taekwondo practitioner, appreciated the players' contributions in bringing laurels to the nation. He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to promoting sports and creating greater opportunities for aspiring footballers — particularly women — through sustained support for grassroots development and the expansion of sporting infrastructure. No specific financial commitments or timelines were announced, according to the CMO official.
What Comes Next
The meeting signals renewed political attention on women's football in Manipur, a state that has long been a nursery for Indian football talent. Whether the Chief Minister's assurances translate into structured policy — annual tournaments, infrastructure investment, and service-rule reforms for athlete-employees — will determine the lasting impact of the delegation's appeal.
Point of View
But to economic necessity. The Chief Minister's warm words need a policy spine — structured tournaments, infrastructure budgets, and service-rule reforms — or this meeting becomes another photo opportunity that changes nothing.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Manipuri players were part of India's 6th SAFF Women's Championship-winning squad?
The nine Manipuri players in India's title-winning squad are Dangmei Grace (Striker), Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Goalkeeper), Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi (Defender), Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu (Defender), Yumnam Sarita (Defender), Hemam Shilky Devi (Defender), Naorem Priyangka Devi (Midfielder), Serto Lynda Kom (Striker), and Toijam Thoibisana Devi (Defender). Together they formed more than a third of India's 23-player championship squad.
When and where did India win the 6th SAFF Women's Championship?
India won the 6th SAFF Women's Championship on 6 June, defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final held at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa. It was India's record-extending sixth SAFF Women's title.
Why did the Manipuri players meet Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh?
The players met the Chief Minister on 27 June to highlight Manipur's contribution to Indian women's football and to seek stronger state support. They specifically raised concerns about talent drain, requested annual women's football tournaments for grassroots development, and asked for better career advancement opportunities for sportspersons in government service.
How has Manipur contributed to Indian women's football beyond the SAFF Championship?
Several of the nine Manipuri players also represented India in the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia — the national team's first qualification for that tournament in 23 years. Additionally, four Manipuri players featured at the 2023 Asian Games in China, reflecting the state's consistent presence across multiple international competitions.
What did Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh say in response?
Chief Minister Singh appreciated the players' achievements and reaffirmed the state government's commitment to promoting sports and expanding opportunities for women footballers through grassroots development and infrastructure support. No specific financial commitments or policy timelines were announced at the meeting, according to the CMO official.
