Second Division League tam nomination row : KLASA ignored for flouting AMFA constitution and on disciplinary ground: AMFA president
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 07 2023:
Amid growing dissension among football lovers over nomination of a team for SecondDivisionLeague2022-23, the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) president, M Ratan has stated Kshetri Iril Mapal Youth Club (KIYC) were nominated for the league tournament following an executive council meeting on December 9 last.
He was speaking to media persons during a press conference convened this morning at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong.
AMFA general secretary, L Jyortirmoy Roy; treasurer H Chetan and other key functionaries were also present at the press conference.
On nomination of the team which has created a furore among many football enthusiasts, M Ratan said that the association convened an executive council meeting as per the instruction of the AIFF's I-League Committee to nominate a team for Second Division League 2022-23 on sporting merit.
During the meeting, the executive council minutely discussed the 'viable teams' including 15th Manipur State League winners KLASA FC but unanimously decided to nominate KIYC for the league tournament.
KIYC were chosen as the second placed team in the latest Manipur State League opted out and third and fourth place teams showed no interest in partaking in the same tournament.
Stating that KLASA FC have recently been facing many disciplinary actions, M Ratan said that the team were ignored for not sending players to the State team trial camp for National Games which was against the AMFA constitution.
He further said that the team failed to meet financial requirements for participating in the league tournament.
M Ratan however did not respond on being asked whether a notice was served to KLASA FC for not sending players for the National Games team trial.
Regarding a representation sent to AIFF by the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, the AMFA president expressed that it was unexpected.
The matter could have been tabled and discussed in a proper manner, he said.
Mention may be made that KLASA FC who have won the last two editions of Manipur's top flight tournament - Manipur State League on January 3 came out strongly against the decision to disregard them and nominate a team who did not fulfil any criteria for the third tier tournament in India's league football system.
Stating that it was very unfair to nominate the team, KLASA FC had questioned the motive behind the nomination and appealed authorities concerned to look into the matter.
In the meantime, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has joined chorus in condemning the nomination of a lower ranked team while clearly neglecting the 'deserving team'.
In a release, DESAM stated that nomination of a lower ranked team hints at irregularities and AMFA should clarify to all regarding the matter.
Saying that the move as 'unjust' and 'demoralising', DESAM continued that it will leave a huge dent in sporting spirit and tarnish the image of the State.
Manipur State players have been making the State proud on many levels, noted DESAM while adding that such "irregularities" in such a sporting discipline will have a detrimental effect.
While appealing to concerned authorities to look into the matter, DESAM also called upon AMFA functionaries to right the wrong and come out with a clarification within 3 days time.
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