Manipur United FC win Namma Bengaluru League
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 30 2023:
Manipur United FC (MUFC), a team consisting mainly of Manipuri players, lifted the champions' trophy of the first edition of Namma Bengaluru League 7s .
In the final match, MUFC, which played the tournament under the assumed name, Weekend Warriors FC, beat Abhayam FC 2-1 .
The tournament is one of the most prestigious 7s football tournaments in Bengaluru, conducted at the Bangalore Football Stadium under floodlight.
The tournament is conducted on weekends, over a period of two months in a league-cum-knockout format.
The tourney had 16 teams from around Bengaluru clustered into two groups.
MUFC topped their group in the league stage, dropping only 3 points from the total possible 21 points.
In the quarter final, MUFC beat Lake Road FC in penalty shootout and then went on a goal scoring spree in the semi-final defeating Kudlu FC 6-0 .
In the final match against Abhayam FC, MUFC shrugged off the initial shock of conceding an early goal and went on to Settle the issue at 2-1.MUFC not only pocketed the top cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and trophy, but also took home the top scorer and best goalkeeper awards.
It may be mentioned that MUFC is the brainchild of Danny Khumlo, a corporate lawyer, who is the captain and goalkeeper of the team.
MUFC is a Bengaluru-based football community consisting mostly of Manipuri boys who till recently were plying their trade for different clubs in Manipur but have now moved to Bengaluru looking for clubs.
MUFC members are from diverse communities - Meitei, Meitei Pangal, Kuki, Anal, Chiru, Kom, etc.
MUFC's aim is to keep the Manipur players in Bengaluru connected, create a common platform for players to disseminate information and help each other and is actively involved in highlighting the plight of sportspersons in Manipur because of the on-going violence and spreading the message of peace for Manipur.
MUFC assisted a major newspaper in Bengaluru to cover the plight of Manipur footballers because of the violence, in one of its July editions and continues to provide support for more such stories.
Since its inception in May this year, several members of MUFC have signed up with local clubs in Bengaluru like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Young Challengers FC, Rebels FC, Parikrama FC, etc.