KFA's Open Night Football Tourney : Goulal scores twice as debutants KMT Ekou Mulam emerge champions
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, December 12 2021:
A brilliant brace by Goulal Singsit helped debutants Khongngam Memorial Team Ekou Mulam, Saikul to seal a comfortable 3-1 victory over former runners-up Lalcha Memorial Team Saparmeina to win the title of the Kuki Football Academy's 5th Open Night Football Tournament yesterday night.
As many as sixty-six teams/clubs from various communities across the district and the State who were clubbed together in 22 pools participated in the two-month-long tournament which commenced from October 13 and was successfully and peacefully culminated on December 12 evening.
The glittering closing ceremony amidst thousands of crowd was graced by the local MLA Nemcha Kipgen as chief guest while Dr Robin Raomai Heni, founder and president, Compassionate Children Ministries, Senapati who is also the joint secretary, International UNICEF Council and Th Salou Maram, MFS (Retd) attended as guests of honour.
Sadar Hills District Sports Association president, Chongpu Kipgen attended as the functional president of the closing programme of the tournament which has become one of the biggest winter pre-Christmas festivals in Kangpokpi district.
MLA Nemcha Kipgen said that sports and music have no barriers as it spreads love and positivity to all in the society and sports have always had a monumental impact on culture and values in society.
She continued that sport is an important social phenomenon in all levels of modern society, providing a large impact on key areas of social life.
She further said that sport, being one of the most important means of enhancing human health, physical development and improvement, also has a significant positive impact on the spiritual world, attitude, emotions, moral principles, aesthetic tastes, promoting harmonious development of personality.
She appreciated and lauded the Kuki Football Academy for organizing such a premier tournament for a successive five years.
The final match kicked off between Lalcha Memorial Team Saparmeina and Khongngam Memorial Team Ekou Mulam Saikul after inspection of players by dignitaries.
Ten minutes into the game, KMT Ekou Mulam's Goulal break the silence when he slotted home the opening goal before the equalizer for LMT Saparmeina came from an own goal from KMT's Thangbem in the 35th minute.
KMT had a brilliant comeback in the second half as Goulal volleyed home from more than 25 yards in the 61st minute before Seiminthang added another in the 68th minute to shatter the hope of last year's runners up LMT Saparmeina to lift the champions trophy this time.
Eventually, KMT Ekou Mulam lifted the champions trophy and walked away Rs 1 lakh richer while LMT Saparmeina had to contend with another runner up trophy with a cash prize of Rs 70,000.Third placed, SMT Haipi and fourth placed, TASA were also awarded trophies with cash prizes.
The star of the final night, Goulal Singsit of KMT Ekou Mulam was declared man of the final match while Lenminlal of LMT Saparmeina was declared man of the tournament.
KMT Ekou Mulam custodian Letthang Chongloi, LMT Saparmeina defender Minlen Gangte, SMT Haipi's midfielder Thangmoi, LMT's striker Luntinmang, TSC's Sehgouthang (U-18) and TASA's Lalkhanlen were feted respectively with best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder, best striker, hattrick scorer and top scorer prizes.
Chaljang Lhouthang team were awarded the farthest participating team award of Rs 5000 while South Changoubung Youth Club and LMT Chalwa Twilang area were awarded fans of the year 2021 and best team award of Rs 5000 each respectively.
After the prize distribution, Sadar Hills District Sports Association president Chongpu Kipgen de-hoisted the flag to mark the end of the two month long tournament.
Kuki legendary footballer Kiran Khongsai, former ISL player Boithang Haokip, 22 AR Kangpokpi Post Commander Maj Rahul and many other civil society organizations leaders also attended the function.
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