I-League: Sports Minister launches kits for TRAU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 21 2020:
Even as the State is proud of producing the highest number of high class players, the State has failed to prepare an efficient team in the recent years which could make a mark at National competitions.
The statement was made by Sports Minister Letpao Haokip today during a kit launch ceremony for the I-League team Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) held at the clubs ground.
The Sports Minister, in his address as the chief guest, said that he is ever ready to attend events of all clubs which are working relentlessly for the development of football and other sports disciplines.
While expressing that he also grew up as a football player and felt that eagerness to get a new kit every time he attends a kit launch programme, the Sports Minister also extended best wishes to all the players in the team to perform their best and bring laurels to the State.
Football carries the message of oneness and peace since there is no place for discrimination based on colour, religion and caste or place of birth in it, he continued.
The State Government is giving financial grant or assistance worth Rs 50 lakh each to two I-League teams and preparing similar assistance to KRYPHSA women's team which will be participating in the forthcoming Indian Women League, he said.
Plans to extend assistance to the teams participating in the CC Meet and Manipur State League are in the pipeline even though it is not formally announced, he continued.
He further maintained that the Central Government has accepted the State Government's proposal to open 32 mini stadiums in 16 districts of the State and for the first phase, 8 mini stadiums, four each in hills and valley districts will be constructed, he said.
He further informed all that the proposal to the Centre for setting up one hockey stadium each in 16 districts, has been prepared, it said.
He also stressed on the need for re-examining the condition of the State football as the State has failed to witness a good and efficient team in the National tournaments for the past few years even as Manipur has been called as 'football factory' for producing most number of players for top tier event such as Indian Super League.
The kit launching programme was also graced by MLA of Keishamthong AC, L Jayanta Kumar; TRAU's president, Longjam Bhagaton Singh; Huidrom Vikramjit Singh, proprietor, HVS; Laishram Nandakumar Singh, Director of Education (S) and Khumbongmayum Dhanachandra, proprietor of Romi Bag Industries as presidium members who unveiled the new kit of the team for the I-League Season 2020-21 .
Speaking at the occasion, L Jayanta Kumar encouraged the players to widen their vision and wished them to play wholeheartedly as representatives of Manipur.
The programme, where the kits sponsored by Romi Bag Industries were launched, also saw the proprietor of Symbolic donating a sum of Rs 1 lakh as an encouragement to TRAU.
The programme was attended by functionaries of TRAU; Ksh Bhaktakumar, convenor of the Chief Minister Indigenous Martial Arts Meet 2020-2021 and renowned artist, Hamom Sadananda as guests.
The secretary of TRAU, during the occasion also announced that the football team is set to leave Imphal by December 27 for Kolkata where the competition will begin from January 9 .
It was also announced that the team will be led by K Phalguni, wearing jersey number 6, as captain and foreign import, striker Komron Tursunov (Tajikistan), wearing jersey number 7 as the vice captain.
The team is also featuring another two foreign players namely, Helder Lobato (Defender; Brazil) and Joseph Mayoma Olaleye (forward : Nigeria) .
Comment
