13th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football : Worneilen hits hattrick as Classic FA rout SU 7-0 in summit clash
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, March 05 2023: Classic FA cruised to the title of the 13th Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial CRPF Football Tournament 2022-23 organised by 143 Bn CRPF at SAI Sports Complex, Takyel.

The young guns who finished runners up in the previous edition of the tournament overwhelmed seasoned Sagolband United 7-0 today in the final.

Serto Worneilen Kom starred in the match with a first half hat-trick and walked away with the man of the match accolade today.

13th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football

Classic FA dominated the game from the word go and were ahead 9 minutes into the game as Worneilen opened the floodgate before netting back to back in the 29th and the 39th minute to hand his team a commanding 3-0 lead at the lemon break.

Classic FA picked up the game from where they left and found the fourth goal through Chinkhomsim in the 49th minute before Tongminsei quick-fired in the next minute to make it 5-0 .

Sagolband United kept struggling to find composure despite the huge deficit and their condition further worsened when Ganningam fired home Classic FA's 6th goal in the 69th minute before Paoginlen hit the final nail to the coffin in the 76th minute.

Classic FA walked away Rs 3 lakh richer while Ganningam and Aheibam Suraj Singh bagged the golden ball and golden glove trophies and cash prize of Rs 10,000 each.

Runners up Sagolband United in the meantime received a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh and a trophy and its player Lalsiem Chongloi won the golden boot trophy and cash reward of Rs 10,000 with 5 goals in his name.

Attending the closing function of the tournament, Chief Minister N Biren stated that the future of Indian Football lies in Manipur adding that 45 players from the State are playing in I-League Football Tournament representing different football clubs.

Continuing his speech, the Chief Minister stated many football players are representing the Indian team and as such the State Government has made allocation in the budget to establish a Football Academy in the State.

He mentioned that Manipur, with its little population, has been contributing a lot in the field of games and sports.

Stressing the desire to upgrade the tournament to National level, he asked the CRPF to give a proposal for the same.

He also asked them to organise the tournament at Khuman Lampak main stadium from next year.

Stating that the State Government is giving priority to some disciples considering the physical structure of the people of the State, N Biren informed that 7 natural grass football turfs would be developed in the State and funds had been allocated in the budget for the same.

He also informed that the State would be hosting a Tri-Nation Friendly Football Tournament and added that the State has got this opportunity because of the achievements brought by our players.

During the programme, the Chief Minister also honoured Ng Memcha, mother of Shaheed Manoranjan Singh.

Chairman, Manipur Electronic Development Corporation S Kunjakeswor Singh; Director General of Police, Manipur P Doungel; Sandeep Dutta, IGP M&N Sector CRPF; other senior officials Chairman and Managing Director of BABINA Group Dr Thangjam Dhabali also attended the closing ceremony among others.