Manipur’s transmen’s football team transforms lives

Comprising 14 members under 30, Ya_All’s team includes individuals born as girls but identifying as boys, many having prior school and college team experience. United by a love for football, they proudly established India’s inaugural all-transgender football team. In a poignant moment captured in a photo, the team displays intense emotions after narrowly missing a goal in a friendly match against RT Football Turf.

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Founded in 2017 by Sadam Hanjabam, a passionate human rights advocate and social scientist, Ya_All aimed to make football inclusive for everyone. Despite facing challenges and lack of understanding, the team persevered, practicing rigorously and playing friendly matches to display their skills and teamwork. This photo captures the intense emotions of players, showcasing their dedication and love for the game during a practice match at a football ground in Manipur.

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Emerging from the challenges faced by those identifying as boys despite their assigned gender, this team embodies resilience. Battling societal misconceptions and discrimination, they found a haven to celebrate their sporting prowess and reclaim identities. Post a challenging game, the team takes a well-deserved break, enjoying refreshing drinks.

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Posing after a fruitful training session in Manipur’s local football ground, the Ya_All team beams with enthusiasm. Eager to establish a robust transgender football team, they face resource constraints. “We want to build a strong transgender football team but resource is a constraint. We request the big football teams to come forward and help us provide coaching and other facilities. If we all can join hands to have sports meets for the third gender also, many such sporting talents will come out in the open. They don’t come out due to the stigma and discrimination they face in society”, appealed Sadam, the founder of Ya_All.

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Beyond the football pitch, Ya_All expanded their impact by addressing the struggles of kids in conflict-ridden Manipur. Initiating the “Football for Heal, Football for Peace” campaign, their transmen football team provides free coaching to children in shelter camps, alleviating mental strain. In a pre-practice moment, team members connect, fostering a supportive community.

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Conflict persisted in Manipur, impacting residents’ mental well-being, especially children in relief camps. The trans-man football team emerged as compassionate ambassadors, starting a heartfelt journey in August 2023. They provided free coaching to these children, refining athletic skills and instilling optimism. Now, the children practice on a small ground in Manipur.

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Amid conflict echoes, the football field transformed into a healing canvas. Ya_All and its transmen football team, catalysts of change, offered solace and fostered a community where acceptance thrived. In this photo, Ya_All players are seen distributing food kits in relief camps where residents have endured seven months without proper shelter and basic facilities.

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