13/12/2025
Manipur Santosh Trophy Team Head Coach Kamei Joy Rongmei: Breaking Barriers and Rewriting Football History for the Zeliangrong Community
Kamei Joy Rongmei, one of the rare and celebrated footballing figures from the Zeliangrong community, has carved a remarkable legacy both on and off the field. He is widely recognised as the first coach from the community to acquire the prestigious AFC-B Licence and the first to lead the Manipur Santosh Trophy team which is an achievement that has inspired generations of young footballers from the region.
Born in 1969, Rongmei’s football journey began early. His talent was evident when he represented Manipur in the U-19 National Championships organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 1985 and 1987, held in Agartala (Tripura) and Tinsukia (Assam). Known for his sharp finishing and natural goal-scoring instincts, he quickly established himself as a dependable forward.
His university years further solidified his reputation. During the 1988–1989 Inter-Manipur University Championship in Patna, Bihar, and the zonal competitions in Cuttack, Odisha, Rongmei continued to shine. His breakthrough came in 1990–1991, when Manipur clinched the All India U-21 Championship in Aizawl, with Rongmei playing a pivotal role. His performance earned him a call-up to the AIFF U-21 National Camp for the Rajiv Gandhi International Gold Cup, held in Salt Lake and Goa which is an honour reserved for the country’s most promising young footballers.
Rongmei’s rising stature saw him selected by the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) for the prestigious Santosh Trophy, representing Manipur in the 1991–1992 edition in Coimbatore and again in 1993 in Cochin.
His goal-scoring ability soon caught national attention. Between 1993 and 1997, he was recruited into the Border Security Force (BSF) under the Government of India, where he represented the BSF football team in major national tournaments including the Durand Cup, Federation Cup and the DCM Trophy in Delhi.
In 1997–1998, he received another milestone opportunity: a call-up to the Indian senior national team camp for the Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Cup. That same year, he took a bold step resigning from BSF to pursue professional football full-time. He signed with the historic Mohun Bagan Athletic Club and competed in the Philips National League Championship. Between 1999 and 2001, he continued his professional journey with Mohammedan Sporting Club, where he also represented West Bengal in the National Games held in Manipur.
Transitioning into coaching, Rongmei earned his Manipur State C Licence in 2002 and quickly began shaping young talent. As head coach of XI Star (SU), he led the team to a Super Six promotion in 2003, the same year he completed his AFC-C Licence. He later coached KLASA in the Winner’s Cup and guided the NYTHC women’s team in the 2004 Senior Women’s Championship at Khuman Lampak.
Over the years, Rongmei became a trusted figure in youth football development. He was selected for AMFA’s coaching panel and led Manipur’s U-13 team in Kalyani, Kolkata, besides participating in grassroots development programmes in Thoubal for U-12 and U-14 boys.
Between 2005 and 2007, he coached PYC Phouden under the Thoubal District Football Association, leading them to a Super Six League title and promotion to the Manipur State League. In 2007–2008, he guided MBSU (Imphal West) to a Super Division League championship and State League promotion. His coaching career also saw him helm SSU and YWC Thambalkhong in the Manipur State League.
In 2012, Rongmei successfully completed the AFC-B Licence under the mentorship of Gabriel E. Joseph and assistant instructor Birbal Singh at Khuman Lampak. He then took charge of Kohima Komets which is a 2nd Division I-League club based in Nagaland during the 2012–2013 season, expanding his influence beyond Manipur.
From 2024 onward, Kamei Joy Rongmei has been serving as the head coach of the Manipur Santosh Trophy team. Under his leadership, the team reached the semi-finals last year, a feat he aims to repeat and surpass in the upcoming edition.
Today, Rongmei stands as a symbol of dedication, excellence and pioneering spirit for the Zeliangrong community and the football fraternity at large. His journey from a promising young forward to a seasoned professional and respected coach who continues to inspire the next generation of footballers in Manipur and beyond.
Head Coach Kamei Joy Rongmei interviewed by Imphal Football Times
