Manipur Dy CM Nemcha Kipgen honours Kangpokpi athletes, calls sports a pillar of nation building

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen on August 1 felicitated outstanding sportspersons from conflict-affected Kangpokpi district, describing sports as one of the strongest pillars of nation building and youth empowerment.

 

The felicitation ceremony, organised by the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Sadar Hills at El-Shaddai in Kangpokpi Town, was fully sponsored by the Deputy Chief Minister to encourage nationalism among the youth through sports while recognising athletes who have brought laurels to India despite growing up amid ethnic conflict and displacement.

 

The event witnessed the participation of KSO leaders, community organisations, students, parents and hundreds of residents.

 

Among those honoured were young football stars Thangsanglen Kipgen, popularly known as the "Indian Neymar Jr.", Seiminsang Khongsai and Lalvanghao Haokip, along with badminton prodigy KimKim Khongsai, often referred to as the "Saina Nehwal of Kangpokpi."

 

The three footballers, representing Minerva Academy, recently played a key role in India's triumphs at the Gothia Cup 2026 in Sweden and the Helsinki Cup 2026 in Finland, two of the world's most prestigious international youth football tournaments.

 

Thangsanglen Kipgen emerged as the standout performer, scoring 18 goals in the Gothia Cup to claim the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award before adding another 17 goals in the Helsinki Cup. Seiminsang Khongsai netted 11 goals across the two tournaments, while Lalvanghao Haokip contributed 14 goals, helping establish Minerva Academy as a dominant force in international youth football.

 

KimKim Khongsai was also recognised for her consistent performances in national-level badminton competitions, which have earned her recognition as one of the Northeast's most promising young shuttlers.

 

Addressing the gathering, Nemcha Kipgen said the athletes' achievements symbolised hope, resilience and national pride for young people growing up in conflict-affected regions. She urged them to continue serving the nation with discipline, humility and dedication, stating that true patriotism is reflected through excellence that elevates India's image globally.

 

Quoting Napoleon Bonaparte's famous saying, "Give me good mothers, and I will give you a great nation," the Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that nation building begins with values nurtured at home and strengthened through education, discipline and sports.

 

She said the success of the district's young athletes had become an inspiration for children living in relief camps and conflict-affected villages, proving that determination can overcome adversity.

 

During the programme, the Kuki Students' Organisation, Sadar Hills, appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to appoint Minerva Academy founder Ranjit Bajaj to lead India's Under-15 football team at the upcoming FIFA U-15 World Cup.

 

The organisation argued that Minerva Academy's success in producing international youth champions, including its victories at the Gothia Cup and Helsinki Cup, demonstrated a proven model for developing world-class Indian footballers. It said the achievements of Thangsanglen Kipgen, Seiminsang Khongsai and Lalvanghao Haokip highlighted the academy's player development programme and expressed confidence that Bajaj's leadership could significantly strengthen India's prospects at the global level.

 

The ceremony concluded with community leaders hailing the athletes as symbols of hope for conflict-hit Kangpokpi, saying their achievements have shown that champions capable of representing India on the world stage can emerge even from regions affected by prolonged violence.