A first-of-its-kind initiative in Manipur is using the power of football to raise awareness about one of the world’s most trafficked mammals—the pangolin. The Pangolin Cup 2025, launched by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with the Senapati District Olympic Association of Manipur (SDOAM) and the Manipur Forest Department, kicked off on March 17 at Astro Turf. The week-long tournament, which runs until March 22, has drawn 16 teams from across Senapati district, uniting sports enthusiasts in the fight against illegal pangolin trade.
This initiative is part of WTI’s Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project and is supported by the Pangolin Crisis Fund (PCF) under the Wildlife Conservation Network. The tournament aims to not only engage young athletes but also mobilize local communities to become active stakeholders in conservation efforts.
Pangolin Cup is organised with a unique approach to blend sport with environmental responsibility. The key aims of the event is to raise awareness about the illegal pangolin trade in Manipur and Nagaland; empower youth to become conservation champions; foster collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local leaders’ and strengthen community involvement in protecting endangered species.
Pangolins, often targeted for their scales and meat, face a growing threat due to high demand in illegal wildlife markets. Manipur’s proximity to the Indo-Myanmar border makes it a hotspot for pangolin trafficking, heightening the urgency for conservation interventions.
Forest and administrative officials at the event underscored the importance of local participation in wildlife conservation. Shri. Shanngam S, IFS, DFO Senapati Division, emphasized the need for a collective commitment.
“I request all civil society organisations to prioritise wildlife conservation, making it a mandated concern. It is crucial that we instill respect for wildlife in both present and future generations. I am deeply saddened that the younger generation must bear the consequences of our past actions, and I believe it is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve what remains of our forests,” said Shanngam.
Echoing this sentiment, Smt. Mamoni Doley, IAS, DC, Senapati, highlighted the role of leadership in conservation, said, “Being at the top of the hierarchy, civil society organisations (CSOs) must remember that younger generations, especially students, look up to us. If we treat hunting as a sport, they will follow suit. This is why collective action is essential—CSOs as leaders and students as changemakers. It is an honour for our district to host the first-ever ‘Pangolin Cup’ in the state, an event that I hope will inspire similar initiatives across other regions. Football is the perfect way to bring people together, and this tournament is a brilliant step toward uniting communities for conservation.”
Meanwhile, Shri. Panjit Basumatari, Manager CBRC, Arunachal Pradesh, WTI, stressed the urgent need for grassroots conservation.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the dignitaries and my best wishes to the football teams. There is an urgent need for community-led conservation to protect the critically endangered Chinese Pangolin which inhabits this region,” added
The Pangolin Cup 2025 goes beyond just a football match—it is a strategic initiative designed to inspire long-term conservation efforts. By fostering awareness and a sense of responsibility among local communities, the tournament hopes to ignite a larger movement toward wildlife protection and sustainable practices.
The WTI, which has been at the forefront of conservation for 25 years, continues to work closely with enforcement agencies and local stakeholders. Their Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project is a crucial step in addressing illegal wildlife trade in Manipur and Nagaland.
As the tournament progresses, one thing is clear—football is more than just a game; in Manipur, it has become a tool for change.
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