N. Biren Singh is an Indian politician, former journalist, and former footballer. He served as the twelfth Chief Minister of Manipur from 15 March 2017 to 11 March 2022.He was inclined towards sports since childhood. Biren actively took part in football in his college days.At the age of 18, Biren was spotted playing football by the BSF leaders, who recruited him in the Border Security Forces (BSF) football team. Initially, he played for BSF in domestic competitions. Soon, he became the first football player from Manipur to play outside the state. N. Biren Singh as a football player.In 1981, Biren played for the Durand Cup. In the tournament, his team (BSFs football team) defeated Kolkatas Mohun Bagan to lift the coveted trophy.Biren resigned from BSFs football team in 1982 but continued playing for Manipurs football team until 1992.In 1992, Biren founded, Naharolgi Thoudang, a vernacular daily, despite having any experience in journalism.Apparently, he was arrested on sedition charges in the year 2000 for publishing the speech of an activist.Biren worked as the editor of Naharolgi Thoudang till 2001 and then quit the job to make a career in politics.In 2002, he began his political journey by joining the regional Democratic Revolutionary Peoples Party (DRPP). The same year, he contested the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections from the Heingang constituency and won.Biren was appointed as the Minister of State of Vigilance in the Manipur state government in 2003.