Ukhrul's first football turf ground inaugurated
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, August 18 2023:
Football is one of the most popular sports in Ukhrul district and it has long been a staple of the culture here.
Local football players have had some successes but it has always lacked proper infrastructures for the players to reach their full potential.
And this is where the NERCORMP/UDCRMS, Ukhrul comes in to provide a new synthetic turf ground and recreation centre at Langdang village located about 8 km from Ukhrul district headquarters.
The new facility was inaugurated by local MLA Ram Muivah on Thursday.
He cut the ceremonial ribbon and unveiled the monolith in the presence of Ukhrul DC Zurin-gla Kengoo; Airport Director, AAI, Imphal Chipemmi Keish-ing; District Project Director, UDCRMS/NERCORMP, Ukhrul Lily Rose Jajo, Ukhrul SP Ningsem Vashum and Ukhrul FC manager P Khareithan.
The new Astro turf ground which comprises turf ground and change rooms and a cafeteria, was constructed by UDCRMS and funded by the Airport Authority of India under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund at the cost of 1.35 Crore.
It was the first ever turf ground construction of which commenced back in 2019 but got delayed due to certain circumstances.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Ram Muivah expressed that Ukhrul FC was established in 2010 by a group of concerned people including himself, with late Peter Chiphang as president and him as secretary during his time at PWD.
He praised the hard work of all those involved including Peter Chiphang, without whom he said the ground facility would not have been possible.
Tangkhuls were first football players among the people of the state since the days of Labour Corps during the WWI in France, he recalled.
Among the prominent Tangkhul footballers were Kazipmi Maung, James, Aleng Shimrah, he said recallin g them as iconic soccer players from the district.
Expressing his joy at the progress made by the football club, he recalled the days of the club's inception and the struggles they faced to establish the ground facility.
Muivah, who was instrumental in establishing the facility, said that the property is both shared by Langdang village and Ukhrul FC and urged both to maintain it with care and dedication.
He also lauded the present office bearers of the club for reviving the club to develop the district's football talent and for their dedication in providing opportunities for emerging and aspiring local footballers and urged the present functionaries of the club to take forward Ukhrul FC and promote football legacy of the district.
The MLA also exuded hope that the new ground will provide the young, upcoming players with a state-of-the-art facility which they can use to hone their skills and develop their talents, while providing extra motivation and a renewed impetus in their game.
During the inauguration, the MLA accompanied by the dignitaries, inspected the turf ground and place-kicked a ball to mark the opening of the new facility.
DC Kengoo who is also the chairman of NERCORMP/ UDCRMS Ukhrul, said that there is a preconceived notion among most parents that only education can shape the future of their children but this is not true, and football can be pursued as a career option.
She further exhorted youngsters to pursue their profession by utilising their talents.
AD Chipemmi Keishing said that the project proposal submitted by UDCRMS Ukhrul in 2019 was approved and sanctioned by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) recognising the football potentials of Ukhrul district.
In her speech, Lily Rose expressed gratitude on behalf of UDCRMS Ukhrul to Ram Muivah for his assistance in securing the project during his stint as the secretary of the North East Council (NEC).
She highlighted that the rationale for establishing the facility is to encourage upcoming youngsters to hone their football skills.
Stating that the facility is for the entire district, she informed that Ukhrul Football Club (UFC) has been entrusted to take care of the facility.
She also urged the club to provide the services to upcoming youngsters by charging nominal charges for its maintenance.
Touching on other livelihood support activities of UDCRMS, she informed that it has set up Lansem Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO) in the district and is currently implementing it through NA-BARD, promoting traditional herbs like ginger, Himalayan mint etc.
Ukhrul FC manager Khareithan pointed out that there's acute lack of sports infrastructures in the district despite having huge talents.
Nevertheless, the district has produced young soccer professionals like Somatai Shaiza, Reisangmi Vashum, he said.
He also challenged the public to give Ukhrul FC a duration of five years to produce maximum number of football professionals.
KVK manager Dr Solei Luiram, PHED EE Themreishang Marei, AI UADC Somi Raising and other government officials, Church elders, village leaders, and fraternal NGOs of the district also attended the inauguration ceremony.
Comment
