KFA's Open Night Football Tournament kicks off
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, September 23 2022:
Wangkhei AC MLA Thangjam Arun Kumar kicked off the sixth edition of the Kuki Football Academy's Open Night Football Tournament, which carries a whopping Rs.2.5 lakh cash prize for champions, amidst thousands of crowds at KFA playground on Thursday at D Phaihel village in Kangpokpi district.
The opening ceremony was graced by MLA Thangjam Arun Kumar as chief guest while Tipaimukh AC MLA Ngursanglur Sanate and District Sports Association Sadar Hills president Chongpu Kipgen attended as guest of honour and functional president respectively.
Ranjit Kumar Gupta, Lalan Sha, Amarjit, Joku, Sudish Mehata, Anil, Mukund Choudhury, and Balle Updhaya attended as special guests.
KFA President Lamminthang Kipgen welcomed the guests and dignitaries with a memento, shawl, and the Academy 's muffler before MLA Thangjam Arun Kumar kicked off the tournament after inspection of players.
Appreciating the roles and responsibilities shouldered by the Kuki Football Academy in moulding the football enthusiastic youngsters, MLA Thangjam Arun Kumar said that football has become very professional nowadays, and if footballers maintain discipline and follow what has been taught and instructed by the coach door is always open for success and fame.
He also urged the sports lovers of the state to maintain the dignity of Manipur in the field of sports and motivate them to bring more fame and laurel to the state.
There was once a saying that nothing could be gained by playing football but now it has become a platform for the youths to showcase and expose their skills and talents which could eventually lead to making a living said MLA Ngursanglur Sanate.
The MLA continued that "we need to encourage our youths to get into sports as people into sports never indulge in drugs and alcohol but maintain discipline and goals".
DSA Sadar Hills president Chongpu Kipgen wished that KFA to be a platform for many young footballers in making successful football careers.
In the inaugural match, South Changoubung Youth Club beat SMT Taphou 2-1.Luntinlal (15') and Mangtinlal (21) scored for South Changoubung Youth Club while Sonjalen pulled back a goal for SMT Taphou in the 41st minute.
In the second match, SMT Haipi had a narrow 1-0 win over Lhingneithem Memorial Team (LMT) with Ngamminlal's goal in the 73rd minute.
More than 50 teams in the fray for the championship title are divided into 16 groups for the league round.
The attractive main prizes are: the champions will get Rs 2.5 lakh, the runners-up will get R 1.5 lakh and the third and fourth place teams will get Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.
In individual prizes, man of the final match, best keeper, best defender, best midfielder, nest striker, top scorer, and hat trick will get Rs 3,000 each while the best team, man of the tournament, and fans of the year will get Rs 5,000 each and best discipline team will get Rs 10,000.The Kuki Football Academy also introduced volleyball tournament for both men and women this year with Rs 30,000 for the men's champions and Rs 15,000 for the runners while the women's volleyball champions will get Rs 20,000 and the runners-up will get Rs 10,000.The volleyball tourney will kick off on September 27 .