An exclusive chat with Bikash Yumnam, Manipur’s Next-Gen footballer

Feature

By Halley Nongmaithem

From local to global, Bikash Yumnam from Manipur has earned the spotlight as an upcoming football sensation from the Northeast.

“Composed on the ball, a great reader of the game, and capable of excellent, fast, long throw-ins, the teenager has already been earmarked for a quick progression to the full international side,” read The Guardian, as Bikash Yumnam was recently named among the 60 young talent in the Next Generation 2020 football world.

The profile further that the 17-year-old central defender has impressed at the youth level, starring at the 2018 under-18 Asian Championships as India conceded no goals in the group stage en route to the quarter-finals. He is said to impress again on loan at developmental club Indian Arrows before returning to Punjab, turning down offers from bigger Indian clubs in May.

Published annually, the list of players in the top 60 includes players from prestigious clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid and Arsenal among others.

Profile

Born in Lilong Chajing in Manipur, Bikash Yumnam has come a long way from where he began.

He is the only Indian on the list of young talent at The Guardian’s Next Generation footballers since it started publishing yearly since 2014.

In an exclusive interview with TNT-The Northeast Today, Yumnam talks about his new feat and life in football.

TNT: How do you feel when you heard about being nominated among the 60 upcoming young talent in world football?

Bikash Yumnam: First, I was overjoyed, and that there was a sense of disbelief at the good news. Also, after hearing that I am in the league of the world’s best upcoming footballers, makes me one to strive harder.

TNT: Tell us a bit about yourself and your family?

Bikash Yumnam: I was born in September 2003 in Lilong Chajing in Imphal West district of Manipur. I am the eldest of two siblings. My father is a businessman and my mother is a homemaker.

TNT: When did you start playing football?

Bikash Yumnam: I started playing from the age of 8. My dad loved football, and that is why I started practising it from an early age.

Although he didn’t play professionally, he had pushed me to excel on it as he was very much interested in football. An uncle of mine who was a professional player later joined the government services but instilled in me the love for football. I remember every vacation I would play with him in the locality’s football ground.

TNT: How did you get through at the Minerva, Indian Arrows, and Punjab FC?

Bikash Yumnam: I was playing for a local club called Regional Football Academy in Manipur. That is when a friend told me that Minerva is looking for young footballers in 2017. I gave the trial for Minerva, and I got through it. I came to know about professional football after joining Minerva. They then took me on loan by Indian Arrows for a stipulated period, from January till May 2020 and that contract is over. Now I am with Punjab FC. Minerva changed its name to Punjab FC. I represented India in the Asian Championship Under 18 after they saw me playing for Minerva.

TNT: What do you have to say about being in the league of players from Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid and Arsenal among others?

Bikash Yumnam: It was a great feeling. I will also strive hard to play for a big European club.

TNT: What are the challenges you face as a footballer?

Bikash Yumnam: I was a fat child and could not run much. To overcome those physical challenges and play football was an enormous task.

TNT: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you?

Bikash Yumnam: I could not practice football because of the pandemic. I was, although concentrating on my workouts during this pandemic. I did that religiously. But now, I have resumed the practice again.

TNT: What advice would you give to the upcoming youngsters regarding football?

Bikash Yumnam: I would tell them to exercise discipline, listen to their coaches, and also keep a target and strive towards it.