Laibi Phanjoubam: The Woman Who Built Girl’s Football in Andro Without Ever Playing the Game

Laibi Phanjoubam, a 65-year-old woman from Andro village in Manipur, is a quiet pioneer whose life’s work transformed the future of countless young girls through football—despite the fact that she never played the sport herself.

Nearly three decades ago, Laibi founded AMMA Football Club (AMMA FC) with a simple but powerful vision: to give girls a safe, disciplined, and hopeful path in life through sports. At a time when opportunities for girls were limited and social challenges were many, she believed football could become a tool for change.

With no formal training, little money, and limited resources, Laibi devoted her time and energy to nurturing young talent. She became a mentor, guardian, and motivator—often using her own savings to support players, arrange training, and ensure the girls stayed focused on their goals. Her dedication went far beyond coaching; she provided emotional support, discipline, and life guidance to generations of players.

Under her care, many girls from AMMA FC went on to represent Manipur at the state level, and several even earned the honour of playing for India. For Laibi, their success was never about trophies—it was about keeping girls away from social problems and showing them a future built on confidence, teamwork, and self-belief.

Laibi Phanjoubam’s journey proves that passion matters more than personal experience, and that one person’s commitment can change an entire community. Her legacy lives on in every girl who found strength on the football field because of her vision.

She may never have kicked a ball, but Laibi Phanjoubam built champions—and changed lives.