Imphal, August 30: Host Sainik School, imphal emerged the champion institute of the All India Sainik Schools Inter Zonal Football (Junior) Championship defeating Sainik School, Korukonda of Andhra Pradesh 3-0 in the final match of the round robin competition at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

With run-away victories in all the previous encounters the Imphal institute representing East Zone culled nine points while the south zone champion finished runners-up on six.

North Zone�s Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira of Himachal Pradesh secured third position thrashing Rewa, Madhya Pradesh 11-0 in the day�s other fixture played in the morning session.

The west zone school failed to open its point account in the championship which began on August 28.The championship winner Imphal started the last contest of the competition with a 30th minute header from I Zackson off a Radhe Payang corner kick.

The east zone champion side mainly composed of players from the North Eastern region established 2-0 lead six minutes after the breather through KC Lalhriatpuia with Y Biondi as the provider while Kesto Loriak sealed the Korukonda boys� hope of revival with the third Imphal goal in the 57th minute following a Radhe Payang essay yet again.

In Sujanpur Tira�s comprehensive win over their Rewa opponent, Manojkumar and Pravesh Thakur slammed three goals each, Bankim Katoch two and one each from Aditya Rana, Arpit Rana and Kenley Wangchuk.

Besides the champions� title, the Imphal Sainik School also produced the best player award winner in KC Lalhriatpuia while Ngawang Tsering with eight goals in the competition claimed the best scorer award.

The hosts� Nyado Tao was adjudged the best defender.

Rewa�s Rabi Adhiwash bagged the best goalkeeper prize with the fair play trophy going to the Sujanpur Tira institute.

The prize distribution and closing ceremony were held with Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa and 57 Mountain Division GoC Maj Gen GG Dwivedi as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

The GOC is also the Chairman LBA, Sainik School, Imphal.

For the record, the Imphal Sainik School, representing zone started the championship campaign with a 15-2 debacle of the North Zone champion Sujanpur Tira SS, outplayed Rewa institute 4-0 before the final day�s comfortable win margin over their Korukonda counterpart.

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