Janajit Thangjam (Jona) – Profile at a Glance
Born in Imphal, Manipur, Janajit Thangjam—fondly known as Jona—is a powerful example of how discipline, passion, and service can shape meaningful lives. Raised in a value-driven family, he draws inspiration from his father, Th. Joykumar Singh, a retired Chief Engineer from the PWD, Manipur, whose dedication to public service left a lasting imprint. His mother, Th. Khelpriya Devi, nurtured resilience and balance at home. His siblings—an engineer sister and an architect brother—further reinforced a culture of excellence and purpose.
Educated at Mayo College, Ajmer, and later graduating with a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Janajit’s formative years were marked by outstanding achievements in sports. A versatile athlete, he represented his school at national levels in hockey, football, and basketball, earning the prestigious Sports Colours Award and serving as School Monitor and Basketball Captain. His football journey continued competitively through the BDFA C and B Division Leagues, both as a player and later as a manager and assistant coach. 
Professionally trained as a Mechanical Engineer, Janajit worked in operations and process management with Avant Garde Consulting, contributing to leading manufacturing clients and national quality initiatives under the Quality Council of India (QCI). Yet, his deeper calling lay on the football field.
In 2015, he founded NEYFC – North East Youth Football Club in Bengaluru, with a mission to empower children and youth through sport. A certified AIFF ‘D’ License and AFC ‘C’ License coach, Janajit has led grassroots football programs for underprivileged children in Manipur and Karnataka, enabling many to compete in KSFA Youth Premier Leagues. He has also conducted elite training programs at Mayo College Girls’ School alongside Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee Oinam Bembem Devi.
Currently serving as Head Coach for NEYFC Academy, Jain Public School, and Athena FC (KSFA Women’s B Division), Janajit also leads the “Football for Hope” campaign, reaching over 300 children in Manipur’s relief camps.
His mission is clear: to harness the power of football to instill discipline, confidence, and opportunity—proving that sport can be a powerful force for social transformation.
