16 teams in fray as Poumai Premier League 2024 kicks off
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, October 16 2024: The Poumai Premier League (PPL) Season X 2024 kicked off on Wednesday at the Astro Turf Ground in Senapati, featuring 16 teams.

The Poumai Premier League (PPL) is being organised with Blath Clinic, Rikhumai Taphou as event partner.

The clinic provides 24x7 services of emer-gency/casualty service, lab tests, X-rays, CT scans and more.

The opening ceremony was attended by Saveio Khole, vice-president BJYM Manipur State & member of Airport Advisory Committee as the chief guest, and M Sheveine, SDO/BDO Mao-Maram Tadubi, as the guest of honour.

In his welcome address, Dr Paode A, convenor.of PPL Season X, stated that the Poumai Premier League aims to uplift the Poumai community through sports.

Originating in Delhi in 2014 and now relocated to its hometown, PPL focuses on overall development and has faced initial challenges but gained support to successfully run Seasons I-IX .

The organisation aims for future growth and envisions sports as a catalyst for building relationships, understanding, and fostering peace, according to the PPL convenor.

Dr Paode then stressed the importance of respect towards coaches and managers, urging players to uphold sportsmanship and community pride.

Vipuni Ruhmai, PPL Season X Committee member, gave a brief history of the PPL, stating that it was founded in 2014 by youths from the Poumai community living in Delhi with the motto "Unite and Progress through Sports".

He further informed that the PPL Season 1 was held on July 18 and 19, 2014 at Vijay Nagar Police Ground in Delhi, with the goal of bringing together communities from all across the country and improving connections.

Founding members of the Poumai Premier League included Joseph Chao (Thingba Khunou), Th Vipuni Ruhmai (Laii), Dr Paode (Saranamai), J Hillson (Khongdei), J Maivio Woba (Tunggam), Jordan Pou (Koide), Isaac Thaoveinii (Thingba Khullen), Bunio Bill (Maiba) and RD Kenneth Dale (Phaibung Lower).

The first PPL featured 9 football clubs and continued annually through Season VIII in Delhi.

The Season IX was held in Senapati district headquarters last year, with Paohkhaodu FC as the defending champions.

Organising committee and founding members noted a history of peaceful events from Season 1 to Season IX and expressed hope for continued harmony in future seasons.

The chief guest, Saveio Khole, praised the founding members of the PPL for their achievements in the sport.

He emphasised the importance of outstanding performance and recognition in various sports facilities.

Khole urged players to dedicate their time and energy to their chosen sports, highlighting the need for respect, discipline, com munication, and team spirit.

He encouraged players to continue their journey even after the PPL, urging them to maintain teamwork, discipline, and unity in sports.

He wished all players to become remarkable and famous in the future.

The league's slogan "Clean Senapati, Green Senapati" encourages spectators to uphold cleanliness during matches by refraining from littering.

In the opening match defending champions Paohkhaodu FC secured a 5-2 win over Sheku FC.

Paohkhaodu FC, jersey number 21, was named the player of the match.

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