Football Fury at Panjab University ground
1st Lalchandama Memorial Football Tournament

Ingudam Yaipharemba Singh *

Manipur United Team at the 1st Lalchandama Memorial Football Tournament

With words of blissful prayer, The 1st Lalchandama Memorial Football Tournament, 2012, got kick off on Tuesday, 9th October, 2012 at the Panjab University ground, Chandigarh. The 11 players a side football tournament is organized by Chandigarh Mizo Union, remembering (Late) Lalchandama (a Police Administration student of P.U.) from Mizoram.

Additionally, the tournament remains appreciated as a positive step boosting sportsmanship and friendship amongst the Northeastern Students studying in Chandigarh, providing them a platform for showcasing their talents and spirit of football far away from home.

The uniqueness of the tournament is that most of the participating teams comprised of Northeast students and one team each of Ladakh, Tibet and Bhutan, as a symbol of companionship.

Out of total 9 teams, 6 are of Northeast students viz. one each of Manipur United, Hmar Welfare Association, Naga Students, Zeliangrong Student’s Union and two from Chandigarh Mizo Union. The entry fee for each team was reserved Rs 1000.

When queried, Manipur United (M.U) Captain David S. Lengen happily commented after winning the first match against Ladakh team by 6 goals that "the tournament is an optimistic attitude to promote football among youngsters above and beyond keeping oneself engages with higher and meaningful education".

With a smile he further added "Health is Wealth and Education is Knowledge". Skillfully, Manipur United (M.U) already reach semifinal after defeating Tibet team again by 6 to 1 goals in their second match.

It is significant to note that the entire costs of the tournament were been mustered up from the participating student’s contributions and teams entry fees. From each view point the efforts of organizing the tournament is truly of student’s collective determinations.

The prize money carries Rs 4000 for 1st, 2000 for 2nd and 1000 for 3rd positions along with respective trophies.

After the league match, semifinals will start playing on 12th and the final match is schedule for 13th October at the same ground.

The matches are a feast for football lovers and invitation is open for everyone to come and appreciate.

Wishes are pouring from different quarters supporting their teammates, encouraging not only winning nonetheless alsoto play a well discipline and entertaining match.

Rise to Sportsmanship !!!