Yupia, May 11 -- Thirty minutes before India versus Sri Lanka kicked off in the SAFF U19 Championship in Yupia, the stadium announcer began reading out the team line-ups. The loudest cheers were reserved for the Indian number 9, the homeboy, Omang Dodum.

This was a momentous occasion in the history of Arunachal sports. A first-ever international football tournament in the state, an Indian national team in action, and above all, a local lad leading the forward line. Dodum scored India's fifth of the night and his first ever official goal for the country. Although the 17-year-old had scored for India in Europe in a friendly against German club Reutlingen in 2023, this was undoubtedly the most sensational moment of his young career.

As per...