Soccer star puts best foot forward

Imphal: A young footballer from Manipur, who is suffering from cancer, was left overwhelmed after iconic soccer player and fellow Manipuri, Renedy Singh, reached out to him.
Singh raised Rs 2.5 lakh for 22-year-old Maibam Rohit who was diagnosed with colon cancer this April and is currently undergoing treatment in a Guwahati hospital. The money was raised in a charity match between NEROCA FC, an I-league second-division team from Manipur, and Renedy XI at Khuman Lampak stadium in Imphal on Saturday.
The star of the match, however, was not Singh but Rohit.Dressed in a light green jersey, the ailing footballer watched Singh's team, comprising renowned footballers like Gouramangi, Dhana, Subhash, Sushil, Thoi, Naoba, Bidyananda and Poirei, lose 0-2.
Emotions ran high on Monday as Singh handed over the amount to Rohit at the latter's house in Tentha Khongbal village in Thoubal district. Surrounded by his relatives and well-wishers, a visibly emotional Rohit struggled to express his feelings.
"Bad luck struck me when I was diagnosed with cancer," he rued, extending his gratitude to Singh and the others who helped him.
Rohit, the youngest and lone man among 10 siblings, belongs to an impoverished family. He has played for two prominent clubs in Imphal and also participated in the prestigious CC Meet and Winners' Cup in the state last year. He first met Singh when the Football Players' Association of India, in collaboration with Tentha Khongbal Welfare Association, conducted a three-day football camp for children in his village in March.
The camp saw 25 kids learning the basics of the game and Rohit was instrumental in assisting the organizers, recalled Singh. The acquaintance was renewed after Rohit was diagnosed with cancer a month later. He began undergoing treatment at RIMS here before being moved to Guwahati.
"I was shocked when I came to know that Rohit had been diagnosed with cancer. I made up my mind to help him," Singh said, adding, "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to football lovers and fans who witnessed the charity match."
Eminent filmmaker Romi Meitei, too, was enthused by Singh's suggestion of a charity match. "NEROCA FC warmly accepted our proposal. It was a successful show," he said.
Rohit, who had attended the kids' camp in the hope of gaining some tips from Singh, now has something more precious to hold on to.
"Da (elder brother) Renedy has given me the strength to fight back. If I recover, I will work hard to become a successful footballer," said the brave heart.