Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football tournament : KLASA trounce MPSC 5-1 in tourney opener
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2023: KLASA FC came out all guns blazing to knock out MPSC 5-1 as the 13th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football Tournament was inaugurated by Minister for Water Resource, Relief & Disaster Management, Awangbow Newmai at SAI Takyel ground.

MPSC took the lead after 11 minutes through Kiran against the run of play by Sudhir pulled level for KLASA in the 38th minute before L Touthang overturned the lead one minute into the added time of the first half.

KLASA FC picked up the game from where they left and raced to a 3-1 lead courtesy Amarjit before Ronald made it 4-0 with a clinical finish after 77 minutes.

Manichan then fired home the final nail to the coffin three minutes into the stoppage time.

Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football tournament : KLASA trounce MPSC

It may be noted that the tournament is organised annually since 2010 in memory of Assistant Commandant Shaheed Ng Manoranjan Singh, son of Ng Budhachandra and Ng Memcha from Yurembam Makha Leikai, who made supreme sacrifice while fighting Naxalities in Chhattisgarh in 2009 .

Manoranjan was deputed to launch an operation against Maoists in village Singhanmadgu, Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on September 17, 2009.During the operation, he raided a weapon factory run by the Maoists and neutralized a Maoist camp and recovered a huge cache of arms from the site.

The troops dismantled the weapon factory and the training camp established along with the factory but they were ambushed by the Maoists while withdrawing.

As the Maoists tried to encircle the troops, Commander Manoranjan divided his team into three and launched a counter attack after which a fierce gun battle ensued and the Maoists had to flee from the area.

Sadly, six CRPF personnel including Shaheed Ng Manoranjan sacrificed their lives while fighting.

Considering his unmatched bravery, undeterred determination, exceptional leadership and conspicuous gallant action, the officer was awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (Posthumously) .

Sandeep Datta, IGP M&N Sector CRPF gave the welcome speech during the inaugural ceremony and gave an insight of the bravery of Shaheed Manoranjan.

The Minister for Water Resource, Relief & Disaster Management, Awangbow Newmai who was attending the programme as the chief guest offered tribute to the Shaheed officer and presented a shawl to Ng Memcha, the mother of Shaheed Manoranjan.

The chief guest praised the CRPF for organizing this tournament in the memory of the local martyr.

He also urged the local youth to come forward and become responsible citizens.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Paolienlal Haokip, MLA Saikot AC; Dr Th Dhabli Singh, Managing Director Classic Group; Vincent Nameirakpam, Director Vintel Infracom; Senior Police Officers, Senior officers of CRPF, other dignitaries.

In all, 24 top teams drawn from Manipur State League and top division district leagues are competing in this tournament organised in knock-out format.