Lajong FC's gift of Ningol Chakkouba to football enthusiasts of Manipur
I league matches at Khuman Lampak as home ground of Lajong FC
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 21 2011: For the first time, football fans will be able to witness I league matches here at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on October 28 as a gift of Ningol Chakkouba as the only I league team of the North East India Lajong FC, Shillong selected Imphal as its home ground for this season's I league.

Lajong FC, Shillong will play its first match on October 28 at 2 pm at the stadium against Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), Bangalore.

Speaking in a press meet held at the office complex of All Manipur Football Association (AMFA), Andrew Sweeting, Operation Manager of Lajong FC told reporters Lajong FC has selected Imphal as its home ground since Manipur is the football power house in the whole North East India which produced many national and international football players.

Many players from Manipur are playing key role in different football clubs of India at present.

"Playing I league matches here will become a major landmark for the state in the field of football and I hope that this will encourage the future players of the state to a great extent" he said.

He said that the AIFF has approved two matches here in Imphal.

The first match will be played against HAL on October 28 at 2 pm while the second match might be played on November 10 or 12 .

The exact date of the second match is yet to be fixed yet.

Lajong FC has seven Manipuri footballers, three foreign players and the rest of players are from other parts of India.

Since the team has seven Manipuri players, he is hoping for a huge support from the football enthusiasts of Manipur, Andrew said.

He further said that the team had appealed to AIFF to defer the first match to a later date since the day coincides with Ningol Chakkouba the greatest festival of Manipur.

However AIFF rejected the proposal citing some internal problems which might have arise if the proposal was considered.

He also appealed to the people of the state to witness and extend their support even though it coincides with Ningol Chakkouba.

Ticket sales for the said match will begin from October 24 at the office of AMFA.

Open Gallery tickets will cost Rs 15 each while a ticket for the VIP gallery will cost Rs 200 .

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