Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 02 2010:
Although the Naga students' sponsored 68 days blockade impact is still reeling in the Manipur hills, "the beautiful game" has served as a balm as the people are looking forward to rush to houses where television facilities are there to watch the ongoing FIFA World Cup every evening.
Every evening, the homes that own televisions are witnessed with packed 'audience' watching the soccer matches.
The last two months had been quite a hard time for the tribal people of Manipur living in Manipur hill districts as in the valley districts, due to the scarcity of essential commodities.
All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) had lifted the blockade on June 18 after 68 days of agitating against the elections to the District Councils under the 3rd Amendment of the District Council Act.
At Khunphung village under Tamei subdivision in Tamenglong district bordering Nagaland, a couple of families own televisions attached with Tata Sky dish antennae.
In this village of over 80 households, football lovers rushed to these two houses as early as 4 pm to occupy spaces or themselves although the first soccer match of the day begins at 7:30 pm.
"No charges, we are allowed to watch the football matches free of cost by these two generous families," said one Achang, a young villager.
The television programmes are mostly powered by batteries.
It is a common practice that football lovers from far-flung villages in hill districts are flocking to nearest townships at the time of FIFA World Cup.
"It is a great relief to have the World Cup after the two months straining in agitations," said a college student in Senapati.
Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Portugal, England, Italy, Japan and the two Koreas have been the all time favourite of these hill people when comes to soccer World Cup.