Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh is the first professional sportsperson of India to have donned the CM’s hat.
Singh was a national level footballer before he jumped into the political arena.
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Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday made old memories fresh when he tweeted a photograph of the CM along with his then BSF teammates.
In the photograph, the BSF team was being introduced to the then Indian President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy during Durand Cup Final.
“Shri Biren Singh, a national football player belonging to BSF team introduced to the President of India Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy during Durand Cup Final at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi in 1981. BSF beat JCT 1-0. Now, he is the Chief Minister of Manipur @NBirenSingh ji,” Rijiju tweeted on Monday.
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Shri Biren Singh, a national football player belonging to BSF team introduced to the President of India Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy during Durand Cup Final at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi in 1981. BSF beat JCT 1-0. Now, he is the Chief Minister of Manipur @NBirenSingh ji. pic.twitter.com/9b6nPqeDaz
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 7, 2019
The tweet in a short time became quite popular among the Twitterati.
The sports minister was appreciated by many for sharing the photograph.
The Manipur CM was only 18-year-old when Border Security Force (BSF) officials spotted him during a football match in Imphal.
Singh joined the BSF team and was the first Manipuri footballer to play outside the state.
Singl was part of the BSF team that won the Durand Cup defeating Mohun Bagan in 1981.
He continued to represent Manipur for 10 more years after quitting BSF team in 1981.