Dr NMT win Thadou Trophy football tournament
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, May 07 2022:
Prof Dr Nehginpao Kipgen Memorial Team won the 4th Thadou Trophy 2021, a state-level open football tournament, after defeating Kuki Football Academy 2-1 in the final match in front of overwhelming crowd at Saparmeina Public Ground on Saturday.
Prof Dr Nehginpao Kipgen was a renowned Kuki academician and political analyst, who died of Covid-19 on May 2 last year in Delhi.
The late professor had served as executive: director at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), OP Jindal Global University, New Delhi till he breathed his last.
The Dr NMT featu red well-known ISL players like Len Doungel, Jackichand and Salam Ranjan along with good players from various football clubs of the state.
They overcame the KFA, who had an ISL player Songpu Singsit and former East Bengal player Ginkholen, in the final match.
Seiminthang s brace in the 35th and 45th minutes helped Dr NMT to lift the championship trophy as the Academy side scored their through Seineo in the 48th minute.
Manipur police chief, Paotinmang Doungel, director general of police, graced the occasion as chief guest while Brigadier PS Arora, DIG 22-Sector, IGAR (E) and M Jamkhomang Haokip, secretary-general Thadou Inpi, General Headquarters, attended as guest of honour and functional President respectively.
Nishit Kumar Ujjal, IPS, Zone-III and ANTF, Amrita Sinha, SP Kangpokpi, James Doujapao Haokip, CEO SHADC Kangpokpi, Thangkhochon Haokip, addl SP Senapati, Micheal Lamjathang Haokip, secretary general, TSA-GHQ, Lamminsei Sitlhou, secretary Thadou Trophy Organizing Committee, and other Thadou body leaders, village chiefs and CSO leaders were also present.
The Manipur police officials led by its chief P Doungel were also seen distributing sweets to the crowd after they all spoke on the need for a drug-free Manipur.
A friendly match between 22 Assam Rifles and TSA leaders was also played before the final match.
Prof Dr Nehginpao Memorial Team received a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh while the runners-up Kuki Football Academy got Rs 50,000.Kuki Football Academy's striker and ISL East Bengal player Songpu Singsit bagged both hat-trick (three hat-tricks during the tournament) award and top-scorer award (14 goals).
Dr NMT's custodian Jedidi bagged the best goalkeeper award and KFA's Lenminlal Haokip was named the emerging player of the tournament while Dr NMT's Salam Ranjan bagged the man of the final match award.