Kids' brush with soccer stars concludes
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, June 16 2012: The week-long soccer training for beginners concluded here today on a high note with the country's former skipper and one of the most sought after defenders Gouramangi Singh joining the trainees who all the while had the rare opportunity of training alongside the native soccer stars who had made it to the national level.

Gouramangi, who had amazed many with his visit spoke to the kids at a humble closing ceremony that was attended by the parents of the 100-odd trainees as well as its sponsors.

"Tomorrow (near future), hopefully I can see some of you representing our country, representing Manipur or a club," he told the kids aged between 9 to 12 .

Four national players who had trained the kids free-of-cost alongside an AFC certified coach S Genlemlal Guite gifted their jerseys to four best performing trainees.

Khanthang Paite of East Bengal gifted the best novice while Hringsonlal Thomte of Air India, Hausonpau and Khamminthang of Kalighat MS gifted the second, third and fourth rank holders respectively.

The novel initiative had drawn huge responses, both from the kids as well as their parents, to such an extent that some parents have even pleaded to increase the training days while others suggested fresh batches.

Many enthusiastic kids had missed the opportunity of attending the training programme as the application forms were sold-out on the first day itself.

The Churachandpur district Deputy Commissioner along with ED DRDA Churachandpur and a private packaged-water firm 'Ample Water' had borne the expenses on training kits, refreshments and jerseys.

The district sports association provided the ground at no cost.

Intended to impart the right and basic knowledge of football from the tender age � which professionally is the right moment on one hand, it was also meant to encourage kids on desisting themselves from the path of an abusive life, organisers said.

'Most of the footballs used during the coaching will be donated to four Orphanage homes in town,' they informed.

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