Santoshkumar appeals to reconsider ban on AMFA
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 21 2013: President of All Manipur Football Association (AMFA), Arambam Santoshkumar appealed to the proscribed UG organisation People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-Pro) to reconsider the ban imposed over three officials of AMFA.

Addressing a press conference at the office of the All Manipur Sports Association (AMSA) at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal, Santoshkumar said that AMFA officials L Ranjit Roy, L Jyotirmoy Roy and Salam Amutombi were holding key posts in the association.

He said that he approved the resignation letters of the three officials using President's power without consulting the executive committee.

He also mentioned that the approval was given under pressure as a bargain of their lives as they were under the custody of PREPAK (Pro) at that time.

Mention may be made that PREPAK (Pro) imposed ban over the three officials and demanded their resignation after the alleged match fixing in the 7th Manipur State League and the humiliating loss of Manipur team in the Santosh Trophy.

The ban was imposed over AMFA on March 11 last.

While appealing to take back its stand to the UG organisation, Santoshkumar said that there has been a big hole in the administration AMFA since they were under custody of the organisation.

Routine programmes and other activities of AMFA like organising grass-root development programme, coach training, referee training, formation of Manipur team for national level tournaments and many other activities have come to a halt after their resignation from their posts, he added.

He also said that officials of AMFA are all dedicated persons in the field of football.

They are not provided salary like organisations of other states.

The only paid staff in AMFA are an Office Assistant and a runner, he added.

Speaking about the 7th Manipur State League match, Santoshkumar affirmed that AFA approached many retired High Court Judges and Session Judges to form a commission to conduct an enquiry commission.

Unfortunately, no one accepted to be part of the commission and AMFA was forced to form a committee with a renowned footballer as its Chairman.

Furthermore, no one was able to provide proof of match fixing in the enquiry and the matter was closed with a warning to the concerned team and its players for their deliberate underperformances.

While clarifying about the humiliating defeat of Manipur in the recently concluded Santosh Trophy, Santoshkumar said that the Manipur team was formed with state players who are playing in different clubs of the state except Jugeshwor.

It is true that he team lack adequate exposure and proper skill to play such major tournaments.

But it was not AMFA's fault in forming the state team with full of local players as AMFA sent intimation to state players playing for clubs outside the state.

However, situation forced AMFA to take the decision, as the good players were busy for some reason or other.

He further appealed to the UG Oganisation to reconsider its stand and withdraw the ban over the three officials for the sake of players of Manipur.

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