Conflict-hit Kangpokpi district in Manipur on July 25, 2026, gave a grand civic reception to three young footballers from the Kuki community whose performances helped Minerva Academy complete a rare double by winning the Gothia Cup (Sweden) and the Helsinki Cup (Finland) in 2026. Hundreds of supporters, family members, civil society leaders and football fans gathered at the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills headquarters in Kangpokpi town to honour the trio as symbols of resilience and hope from a region scarred by more than three years of ethnic violence since May 2023.
The reception was organised by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department of KSO Sadar Hills. Supporters, unable to receive the players at Imphal’s Tulihal International Airport, welcomed them at Gamgiphai and escorted them in a celebratory procession to Kangpokpi. The players were felicitated with traditional shawls, bouquets and cash incentives by KSO Sadar Hills, BJP Yuva Morcha Sadar Hills and several civil society organisations.
The three footballers honoured were Thangsanglen Kipgen of Pangjang village (Saikul Sub-Division), Seiminsang Khongsai of Lhungtin village, and Lalvanghao Haokip of Zaphal Veng, Kangpokpi town. Thangsanglen emerged as the standout performer in Europe, scoring 18 goals to win the Gothia Cup’s Most Valuable Player award and adding 17 goals in the Helsinki Cup. Seiminsang scored 11 goals across the two tournaments and Lalvanghao contributed 14, together forming one of the most prolific attacking combinations in the competitions.
Often described as the “Youth World Cup,” the Gothia Cup is the world’s largest international youth football tournament; the Helsinki Cup is also a major global youth event. Winning both tournaments in the same season is a rare feat in grassroots football and ranks among the biggest achievements by an Indian youth team overseas.
A thanksgiving and blessing service was led by Rev. Thangneo Haokip, pastor of KBC Centre Church, Kangpokpi. Addressing the gathering, KSO Sadar Hills Youth Affairs and Sports Secretary Lamkhohao Vaiphei backed Minerva Academy founder Ranjit Bajaj’s appeal to the All India Football Federation to entrust him with India’s U-15 national team for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup. Vaiphei said Minerva’s European success reflected Bajaj’s ability to develop world-class young talent and urged administrators to prioritise merit-based youth development. “The achievements of these three boys are not merely personal milestones but a proud moment for Kangpokpi, Manipur and the entire nation. They have demonstrated that talent can flourish despite conflict and adversity,” he said.
The reception ended amid loud cheers as residents hailed the moment as a defining one for Kangpokpi and Indian youth football, expressing hope that the trio’s success will inspire a new generation of players from Manipur’s conflict-affected hill districts.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/video/manipurs-kangpokpi-gives-heroes-welcome-to-minerva-academys-gothia-cup-winning-kuki-trio-1429689-2026-07-25?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-07-25 22:26:00
