Manipur dreams football, and it is this dream that makes the country's sportspowerhouse prepare its star footballers under a disciplined regime at par with World Cup playing nations. Unlike other parts of the country, where business tycoons and multinational corporations fund the training and development of young talents, Manipur's footballers depend on house-to-house collections for money. The contributions that come from state government's coffers are barely enough for a single day's grocery shopping. 

The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA), the state body responsible for spotting and nurturing talented youngsters, admits that it is almost bankrupt. The cash crunch, however, has not stopped the body from churning out players year after year to represent the national team. As of today, four players -- defenders Gouramangi Singh and Govin Singh, midfielder Reisangmi Vashum and forward Sushil Singh -- represent Manipur in the national pool of 23. Also, apart from familiar names like Renedy, Suramangi, Milan, Thoi and Jinam, there are about 170 to 180 other players from Manipur playing for various football clubs across divisions. Manipuri players represent the Navy, Air India, Services, BSF, CRPF, clubs from Goa, West Bengal and a host of other big names like Mahindra and Mahindra, JCT. 

An early morning visit to Imphal's Khuman Lampak stadium explains how so many Manipuris make it big in the national football scene despite all the hurdles they have to face. Every morning at 7, several youngsters chasing their dream travel as far as 30 to 40 km to reach the stadium. 

Despite the severe financial crisis that the football players and organisers struggle with every day, there is no room for indiscipline. "We do not prepare our teams in a hurry. We take great pains and go into minute detail in creating our rosters. We do not tolerate an iota of indiscipline. A player may be the best of the lot, but if he is not disciplined, we do not waste any time in ticking him off from the list," Baruni said, adding rough words to the referee even in a practice session leads to sanctions.