In 2020, Manipur witnessed the emergence of India’s first all-trans football team ‘Ya.All’ — meaning ‘you all’ in English, ‘revolution’ in Manipuri and ‘inclusive revolution’ when combined. Currently, this team is on a new mission — coaching children stranded in Manipur’s relief camps in the midst of an ethnic conflict that has plunged the state into civil unrest since May.
The initiative mirrors the trans football team’s own origins. Kicking the ball around helped these trans players find an escape from their traumas and a safe space to play.