12th Shaheed Manoranjan Football Tournament kicks off
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 08 2022: The 12th Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial Football Tournament 2020-21 was inaugurated by Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, union minister of state (external affairs & education), at SAI Sports Complex, Takyel, Imphal, on Saturday.

Manipur and Nagaland Sector CRPF has been organising the tournament since 2010 in memory of Shaheed Ng Manoranjan Singh, assistant commandant, a native of Yurembam Makha Leikai, Imphal, Manipur and the only son of late Ng Budhachandra and Ng Memcha, who sacrificed his life while fighting the Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, said the organiser in a press release.

According to the release, Manoranjan, during his posting in 201 CoBRA Bn, was deputed to launch an operation against Maoists in Singhanmadgu village, Chhattisgarh, on September L7, 2009.He raided a weapon factory run by the Maoists and neutralized a Maoist camp.

A huge Cache of arms were recovered from the site.

The troops dismantled the weapon factory and the training camp established along with the factory and while withdrawing, the Maoists who had been waiting in an ambush opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces and tried to encircle the troops.

Commander Manoranjan divided his team into three and launched counter attack.

A fierce gun battle ensued and the Maoists had to flee from the area.

Six CRPF personnel including Shaheed Ng Manoranjan Singh sacrificed their lives while fighting.

Considering his unmatched bravery, undeterred determination, exceptional leadership and conspicuous gallant action, the officer was awarded police medal for gallantry (posthumously), it added.

During the opening ceremony, MS Shekhawat, IGP M&N Sector CRPF, gave the welcome speech and an insight of the bravery of Shaheed Ng Manoranjan Singh.

Chief guest Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh offered tribute to the Shaheed officer and presented a shawl to Ng Memcha, the mother of Shaheed Manoranjan.

He praised the CRPF for organising such a tournament in memory of the local martyr.

Ranjan also urged the local youth to come forward and become responsible citizens.

The vote of thanks was given by Ravindra Singh Rautela, DIG Range Imphal CRPF, who thanked everyone including the sponsors for supporting CRPF in organising the tournament.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ng Memcha, mother of Shaheed Manoranjan Singh, senior police officers, senior officers of CRPF, Prof A Santa Singh, director (RIMS), Ng Bimola Devi, Takyel Zilla Parisad chairperson, K Bimola Devi, Takyel Gram Panchayat prad-han, other dignitaries, media persons, youth and children of local area.

Former Indian football striker Lalkhohao (Kiran) Khongsai and L Chaoba Devi of KRYPSHA FC were also honoured during the opening ceremony.

24 top teams of Manipur are participating in the tournament this year, making it one of the most sought after tournaments in the state.

The opening match of the tournament was played between UKB, Churachandpur and YPHU, Imphal West.

The match was won by UKB on penalties (4-3) after the match was deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of the regulation time.

On January I0, AIM, Khabam, Imphal East and SFC, Imphal will play in the first match at 10 am and KYVO, Bishnupur and Classic FA will meet in the second match at 1 pm, the release further informed.

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