SSU, AFA declared joint winners of 1st Premier League
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 01 2024:
Southern Sporting Union (SSU), Singjamei and ASUFFI Football Academy (AFA), Mao have been declared joint winners of the 1st Premier League 2023-2024 organised by All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) from December 31, 2023 at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong.
The final between the two teams at the said venue on Wednesday had to be abandoned during injury time of first half due to an unforeseen incident.
AMFA held a meeting on the said incident with managers of both teams on Thursday during which agreement was arrived at to declare SSU and AFA as joint winners of the League.
Speaking to this daily in connection with matter, AMFA secretary general L lyotirmoy Roy conceded that the final match was abandoned due to unavoidable circumstances followed by Thursday's meeting attended by the team managers to discuss the issue.
Subsequently, the meeting agreed to declare the teams joint winners of the 1st Premier League, he informed.
L Jyotirmoy continued that AFA will be the custodian of the championship trophy for the first six months while the prize money of Rs 5 lakh will be split with SSU receiving Rs 3 lakh and AFA getting Rs 2 lakh.
He also conveyed that AMFA will recommend both teams for participation in the I-League Third Division organised by All India Football Federation (AIFF), while adding that even though both the teams will be recommended, they must fulfil the criteria laid down by AIFF for participating in the division.
Jyotirmoy exhorted the teams to ensure they fulfil the criteria for participation in the upcoming season of the I-League and bring more laurels for the state.
While pointing out that SSU topped the League with 17 points from eight matches, the secretary explained that as per AIFF rules a team must play 10 matches for recommendation for the Third - Division League.
Hence, the top four teams of the League namely, SSU, WAFA (Wangoi), Sagolband United (SU) and AFA figured in the semifinals to ensure completion of 10 matches by the said teams, he said.