Watch film actors in real action
Maniwood team of film actors to play Football tournament
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Rishikesh Wangkhem

Imphal, February 21 2013: Apart from acting behind the camera and seeing on screens, film actors of Manipur can now be seen in real action playing football while participating in a tournament organised especially for business firms, institutes and establishments in the state.

The first edition of the Xenoh Corporate Football Challenge especially organised for persons in the corporate sectors, farms, institutes and establishments will kicked off from February 28 at the ground of Th Birachandra Singh Football Academy at Taobungkhok, Imphal.

Th Birachandra Singh Football Academy is organising the tournero Foundation with an aim to promote football in the state.

While different business farms, institutes and establishments have taken entry form, the film actors of the state are also busy readying themselves for the tournament with the sole aim to clinch the trophy.

Maniwood team of film actors to play Football tournament

The actors will be participating in the tournament under the name Maniwood team.

Among the actors, Gokul, Danny, RK Somendro (Kaiku), Sadananda, Rojesh, RK Amarjit, Bony, Guna, Sunil Myboy, Ratan Lai, Raju Nong and Herobin are some actors worth mentioning.

The actors are undergoing rigorous training under renowned coach W Dhonel every morning at Mapal Kangjeibung.

International footballer M Bijen is also assisting the coach in the training programme.

Beni Benjamin who is the Manager of the Maniwood team is also sponsoring the team.

Besides, one time footballers Rajen, Ajit and Sarat are also lending helping hands to the team in making it a tough competitor.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, one of the leading actor Kaiku said that they are participating in the tournament, despite their schedule and life of acting behind the camera, with an aim to promote football in the state.

Besides it is also a different type of recreation from the hectic schedule of film shooting.

"It would be better if the tournament is organised like a festival rather than a mere tournament in the next season" he added.

He also appealed to the people of the state to watch the tournament and support their favourite team.

Team Manager, Beni Benjamin said that many film actors who never played football are coming forward to play the tournament.

Performances of the actors in the field have increased significantly in the past few days of training.

The team is also planning friendlies with some skilled local clubs prior to the tournament.

Convener of the tournament, Hiro Thokchom the tournament is being organised with an aim to promote football in the state.

So far, 15 private farms have taken entry forms.

They are Aircel, Hotel Classic, Idea, Endeavour, Dhanalakshmi, Rajpri, Arun Enterprises, ISTV, Maniwood, World Gym Yaiskul, K&K Associate Thangal Keithel, Iboyaima & Sons, Police Housing and Manipur Golden Travels.

Moreover, spectators will have a variety of taste of snacks with food stalls being set up for the tournament.