Hero's welcome accorded to Suranjoy

Imphal, June 19: Asian Boxing Championship gold medallist Mayengbam Suranjoy Singh was accorded a warm welcome by the people of Manipur on his arrival at Imphal today.

Suranjoy, who clinched the flyweight category (51 kg) gold medal at the Asian championship held at China's Zhuhai from June 7 till 13, arrived at Tulihal Airport at around 9.15 am from where he was accompanied by a large number of enthusiastic supporters to SAI SAG Centre, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

At the felicitation programme hosted by SAI NERC, Imphal and attended by many SAI officials and sportspersons, Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency MLA Dr Kh Ratankumar, who is also the chairman of MANIDCO, formally handed over a cash reward of Rs 50,000 in recognition of the 22 year old's accomplishment at the international arena.

Later in the day, Suranjoy also attended another reception programme jointly organised by Mayang Imphal Khuman Youth Association and All Uchiwa Development Association at Uchiwa Pakhangba Lampak.

A native of Mayang Imphal, Suranjoy ended India's 15 year gold medal drought at the Asian Championship with the triumph at the recently concluded Zhuhai championship.

Suranjoy's career collection, so far, include eight gold, one silver and same number of bronze medals at the National level competition while at the international level his haul has gone up to four yellow metal, five silver and two bronze medals.

Source: The Sangai Express

Another Story:
Imphal, June 19: His gold medal glittering in the sun and tears streaming down his face, Manipur’s very own Mike Tyson returned home today to a tumultuous welcome.
Boxer Mayengbam Suranjoy Singh has not only brought a gold medal — which he won at the Asian Boxing Championship held at Zhuhai in China — but also hope and joy for the state which has been wreaked by violence in recent times.

Suranjoy defeated Chinese boxer Li Chao 9-8 in the final of the 51kg bout at the boxing meet held from June 7-13.

It was truly a champion’s welcome as hundreds of fans, well-wishers and family members garlanded Suranjoy with tears of joy at Tulihal airport here this morning. Amid the jostling, Suranjoy said, “This is just the beginning and I hope to repeat and better myself in future competitions.”

“This is an Asian ring but I hope to do better in the world championships and Olympics,” he added. The pugilist credited his success to his coach N. Ibomcha Singh, who had guided and nurtured him.

Suranjoy, a native of Uchiwa Leirak Achouba in Mayang Imphal, is a chief petty officer in the Indian Navy in Mumbai.

The crowd that was eagerly waiting at the airport went berserk as Suranjoy was heaved onto an enthusiastic fan’s shoulders.

Among those present at the airport were Mayang Imphal Congress legislator Kh. Ratankumar Singh along with erstwhile coach N. Ibomcha Singh and another boxing champion, Dingko Singh.

The boxer was later driven in an open jeep through the streets of Imphal. He also visited the Special Area Games complex at Khuman Lampak to express gratitude to his mentors and friends. Ratankumar presented him a cheque for Rs 50,000.

Suranjoy’s proud father, M. Inakhunba Singh, was speechless with delight. The state government will felicitate Suranjoy along with silver medallist Th. Nanao Singh, at the Khuman Lampak main stadium tomorrow morning.

Source: The Telegraph

Snippets

Oil India storm into I-Day Cup final
Nagaon, Jan 1: Oil India Football Club, Duliajan entered the final of 60th Independence Day Cup football tournament defeating Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) Sports Club, Guwahati 4-0 in the second semi-final match at Nowgong Sports Association’s Nurul Amin Stadium here today.
Oil India maintained their good run in the tournament with another impressive show today, outplaying the fancied ASEB to earn a comprehensive victory.
Striker Bhupen Gogoi scored the first two goals in the 29th and 44th minutes of the game, while midfielder Stephen Njoh scored the third goal in the 58th minute.
Manas M. Chetia scored the last goal for Oil India during injury time.
Oil India will now meet last year’s runners-up BSF, Jalandhar in the final on Saturday.

Imphal West triumph
Imphal: Imphal West District Football Association claimed the title of the 11th Inter District Women's Football tournament with a come-from-behind 2-1 win and making it 7-1 aggregate victory in the double-leg competition at Khuman Lampak main Stadium on Wednesday.
Even though the Imphal East eves side surged ahead on Ng Bala's seventh minute score the arch rivals equalised through Th Tababi in the 33rd as O Bembem converted a penalty in the 56th minute to ensure the title win.

Manipur Women's Winners Cup

Manipur cops win BM Singh Trophy
Imphal, Dec 28: Manipur Police Sports Club lifted the 8th Women Winners Cup for B.M. Singh Football Trophy crushing Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club 5-0 in the last league match played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium here today.
Th. Tababi Devi scored four goals, including a hattrick. This is the record seventh win for Manipur Police women’s team in the prestigious B.M. Singh Football Trophy. Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club had won the cup once.
Manipur Police Sports Club collected 12 points and bagged Rs 2,000 with the trophy while runners-up Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club fetched nine points and won Rs 1,500 today.
The lone presence of international player Ng. Bala Devi in Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club could hardly bring about any change as she was marked all the time and did not get her teammates’ support throughout the game.
Manipur Police Sports Club were all fired up right from the beginning with good support from their medios with striker Th. Tababi Devi scoring four goals. Two of the Police goals were almost gifts from Naharol custodian S. Memtombi Devi.
Th. Tababi Devi drew first blood in the 7th minute after she sent a right-flank cross to the goalmouth where the ball hit Memtombi Devi and rolled into the net. The second goal came in the 12th minute as O. Bembem Devi fired a lofted shot from the middle that was totally misjudged by the Naharol goalkeeoer. The police club was leading 2-0 till the first half.
Naharol Yaipha never had an easy moment in the game as Manipur Police mounted pressure throughout the second half and Th. Tababi Devi had a marauding run, beating defenders to come up with three more goals. She scored in the 45th, 52nd and 69the minute completing her hattrick.
Earlier today, Eastern Sporting Union had a 4-0 victory against United Progressive Sporting Association. Th. Umapati Devi, M. Mandakini Devi, P. Vijeta Devi and A.Romi Devi scored the goals. They finished third with six points.
Kangchup Road Youth Physical and Sporting Association finished fourth with three points and United Progressive Sporting Association finished last without a win from four games.
Source: The Telegraph

Dingko's Bangkok Asiad Feat Revisited

I miss running with the tricolour, says Dingko

Chennai: The country has forgotten Dingko Singh, who won India a gold medal in Bangkok Games in 1998. A week after New Year's Day, Dingko will only turned 30 and that probably compounds the romance and the tragedy of the boxer's story - Akhil Kumar, the current braveheart, is 27, and by no means a late bloomer.
A maverick boxer far ahead of his time in terms of technique, it was the Dingko's talent and audacious arrogance in the ring that set him apart from the rest. A technical catalyst, his boxing serves as the reference point for the change in Indian technical approach that was adopted post-Athens 2004, benefits of which are being reaped by the current lot.
"What he did came naturally to him, but all the boxers today are trained to fight like Dingko," said a boxing federation official, adding that there was no better method to adopt to score than Dingko's technique.
"Suddenly, in four years time, we began winning," he adds.
Coaches at SAI centres across the country still turn eloquent over his famed reaction time and speed, but temperamental to the point of disbelief, Dingko probably could not have burned brighter. Injuries began to take a toll and four years ago he made his exit.
As the country prepared for the Athens Olympics, a brief news item said he had lost in the first round of the Hissar Nationals - an event in which he would usually sleepwalk to victory.
Today, a much-mellowed Dingko himself is busy completing a National Institute of Sports (NIS) coach diploma.
"Only he can impart that speed and the locked elbow punch," says a fellow coach, adding, "We can't lose him anymore."
Sent to an orphange in Imphal as a kid since his mother couldn't raise six children, Dingko took to boxing to channelise his anger. Back home in Imphal, he caused scores of girls and boys alike to suddenly throng the Zen-master-like Imbocha Singh's boxing classes at the sprawling Khuman Lampak SAI Centre of Excellence, making it the cradle of the sport before Bhiwani replaced it.
Dingko remains the reason why multi-world champion, Mary Kom still dissolves into giggles at the every mention of her hero's name, like a schoolgirl talking about her favourite movie star. The Manipuri unabashedly admits that it was Dingko's 1998 gold that spurred her to take up boxing.
"I miss running with the tricolour after winning boxing tournaments," says Dingko, adding, "Maybe one day my son Dingson will do it. He's only eight, but seems keen."
There is a pause on the phone line, and then he asks. "Do you know what Dingson means? Son of Dingko," he laughs. Dingko Singh is much-mellowed now but the arrogance remains. Good to know some things don't change.
Source: The Times Of India

Monika Issue

Ban on national, international meets suspended:

Imphal, Sep 8: Giving a breather to the sportspersons of the state, the Coordinating Committee Against the Conspiracy to Exclude Monika from Beijing Olympics by Government of India has temporarily lifted the ban on participating in Zonal, National and International level competitions.
The decision was taken after a meeting of the Co-ordinating Committee at Khuman Lampak sports complex here on Monday, announced Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) president and the Co-ordinating Committee's convener Elangbam Binoy Singh while talking to mediapersons after the meeting.
"Since the Centre has responded to the people's demand by entrusting CBI to begin inquiry into the matter related to deliberate exclusion of Manipuri weightlifter Laishram Monika Devi from the Beijing Olympic squad, we have resolved to lift the restriction so that the State athletes can continue excel in sports and bring more laurels' Binoy said adding "Our players will fight for the sake of justice".
Stating that sports has become a mass movement and that it survives because of the people's contribution, the MOA president said the whole people of Manipur have shown their united strength in demanding justice.
However, the Committee may resume its restriction if the guilty officials involved in pulling out Monika from the Olympics are not punished, Binoy informed.
The whole of Northeastern region and Manipur in particular has been in turmoil after Laishram Monika Devi, who hails from remote Nachou village of Bishnupur district, was withdrawn from the just concluded Beijing Olympics on doping charge, though the charge was cleared afterward.
On August 11 last a public meeting organized by the Committee at Khuman Lampak sports complex here and the meeting resolved that athletes of the State should stop participating in all sporting competitions beyond the State until the Centre tenders an apology to the people of Manipur, stops all forms of discrimination against sportspersons and punishment of the guilty officials.
Endorsing to meeting resolution, sportspersons of the State skipped from various Zonal and National sports competitions in different disciplines including Hockey ( sub-junior), athletes (zonal), Judo ( national), Kabadi ( zonal at Imphal), weight lifting ( National) and Sepak Tekraw ( National) and Subroto under 14, Binoy said.
The State athletes will, however, get the chance to take part in the Eastern Zone Badminton Championship to be held at Meghalaya, the MOA president added.
Monika, who is currently in Manipur, has expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Committee for struggling for her cause.
A rally will be staged at Imphal by representatives of various sports and students bodies in addition to Meira Paibi (women vigil groups) on Wednesday to exert pressure for bringing justice in the CBI probe and book the errant officials, the MOA chief informed.
On Wednesday last around one hundred womenfolk picketed Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) office at Khuman Lampak sports complex demanding announcement of the Krishnamurthy probe report and punishment of the guilty officials.

Source: The Sangai Express

Other Stories:

Manipur to resume participation

Boycott withdrawal comes too late for junior lifters

Justice for Monika

YAS office sealed, Biren soothes frayed tempers:

Imphal, Sep 3: Venting their ire against the alleged discriminatory attitude to weightlifter Laishram Monika Devi, women in hundreds today picketed at the office of State's Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Department and sealed the same office today by locking its main gate.
The impasse, however, ended without any major incident after Sports Minister N Biren rushed to the YAS office located in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex and sought three days' time to urge the Central Government authorities for an immediate stand and clarification on the sordid conduct of SAI and IOA officials and action ased on the enquiry report of former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy.
The Minister reportedly assured to take up the matter at the next meeting of the State Cabinet in addition to insisting that a joint meeting along with representatives of organisations concerned would be hosted after the arrival of L Monika. Following the Minister's intervention the agitators reopened the YAS gate.
Earlier, the protestors under the banner of the 'Coordinating Committee Against the Conspiracy to Exclude Monika from Beijing Olympics by the Governmet of India converged at the YAS office gate demanding that the Krishnamurthy probe findings be made public and the guilty ones punished accordingly.
As per account of a key member of the Committee namely AK Janaki the former CEC, entrusted to investigate into the L Monika Devi issue, had submitted his report to the Union Sports Minister MS Gill on September 1 and rather than initiate action the Minister has taken leave for 15 days thereby amounting to delaying tactics and denial of justice.
Expressing that with the Central Govt seemingly reluctant to initiate appropriate action against the guilty officials of Indian Olympic Association and Sports Authority.of India based on the Krishnamurthy report the YAS office had been picketed and locked, Janaki maintained.
Monika's elder sister L Mamta Devi, who was also among the agitators, said only after the erring IOA and SAI officials are punished there would be satisfaction as if Monika had competed in the Beijing Games.
Monika, herself is slated to arrive?at Imphal tomorrow from Guwahati, where the Nachou native had joined a protest march denouncing alleged politicising of sports administration and selection exercise in the country.

Source: The Sangai Express

Santosh Trophy

Manipur team selected:
Imphal, Apr 28: To represent Manipur in the 62nd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2008 to be held in Jammu from May 25, the following players have been selected.
Goalkeeper: S Basanta (NEROCA); Defenders: Benjamin Kamson (NEROCA), H Devan (TRAU), S Thomas (NEROCA), Y Raju (NISA); Mid-fielders: Charan Rai (NISA), W Ngouba (NISA), W Ajitkumar (NISA); Strikers: N Jimmy (SSU) and I Nilakumar (MPSC), informed an AMFA release.
Moreover, those players who are playing in clubs outside the State but available in Manipur at present have also been intimated to AMFA joint secretary L Jyotirmoy Roy at 8 am of April 30 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
Those players include: Goalkeeper: Lalit Thapa (Churchill Brothers); Defenders: L Dhanachandra (Air India), L Uttam (Air India), Khelemba (Viva Kerala); Mid-fielders: S Dharamjit (Mohan Bagan), L James (Mohun Bagan), M Bijen (Md Sporting Club), Zenith Tangkhul (Churchill Brothers); Strikers: Jotin (Viva Kerala) and K Samson (Air India).
Meanwhile, AMFA executive council has appointed AFC 'A' licencee S Ekendra as the coach of Manipur team for the 62nd Santosh Trophy.
Source: The Sangai Express

7th Women’s Winners Cup

Eastern Sporting, Manipur Police win:

Imphal, Dec. 20: A valiant struggle by striker Ng. Bala Devi seemed to be the only plus point for Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club, which today lost to Eastern Sporting Union 2-1 in a match of the 7th Women’s Winners Cup for B.M. Singh Trophy, played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.

In another match, Manipur Police Sports Club continued their good run, fetching their second straight win, beating Kangchup Road Youth Physical and Sporting Association
2-0.

The Naharol Yaipha girls improved on their previous performance and matched the moves of their rivals, Eastern Sporting, in the first half. However, it was almost a lone show by international player Bala Devi, who ran through the match without any support from any of her teammates.

The Naharol team received a penalty as Eastern Sporting player N. Malemnganbi Devi touched the ball inside the danger zone. Y. Kamala Devi took the shot and scored the first and only goal for her team in the 28th minute.

However, Eastern Sporting came back in the match in the very next minute, with L. Naobi Devi scoring the equaliser for her team. The scoreline remained 1-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Eastern Sporting went on an all-out attack. Melody Haokip scored the winning goal for her team from a pass by Naobi Devi.

In the other match, the experienced Manipur Police had no problem in taming the Kangchup Road girls.

O. Bembem Devi scored the first goal for her team in the first half from a penalty kick.

Devi again stuck in the 71st minute, scoring the winning goal for her team, this time also from a penalty.

This was the second straight win for the Manipur cops who remained at the top of the tally with six points.

Posted On: The Telegraph

51st Sir Churachand Football

New CC Meet champ imminent:

Imphal, Dec 7: The 51st Sir Churachand Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Football tournament is certain to herald a new champion as AMOFA, Moirang, take on NISA, Thangmeiband, in the final on December 9 (Sunday) at 1 pm at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.

Neither AMOFA nor NISA have won the competition though the latter had reached the final twice.

In the second semi-final on Friday, AMOFA upset the previous edition's champion SSU, Singjamei, by the odd goal in three but the score line in no way reflect the Moirang side's dominance who could have won by a bigger margin had the forwards converted chances that came their way.

While the AMOFA mid-fielders worked like a well-oiled machine and constantly fed the frontline players with defence splitting passes, SSU seldom showed any sign of a champion side with players lacking energy compared to enthusiastic approach of their opponents.

Inspite of territorial advantage, AMOFA managed to open its score account late in the first half when Stephen Hmar and L Ratan swiftly exchanged passes near the top of the SSU penalty zone.

Ratan swerved around a rival defender to put the ball into the crowded SSU goal area from near the touchline and found Stephen who blasted home from close range past a hapless SSU custodian in the first half added period.

The goal spurred the Moirang side as they came out from the break with renewed vigour and stormed the SSU goal consequently resulting in Th Joychandra scoring his seventh goal of the tournament of a Stephen Hmar essay in the 56th.Even though AMOFA sustained its pressure against the opponents and seem to increase the score lack of finishing touch at vital moment rendered the mid-fielders' hard work to nought.

At the fag end of the match SSU did foray into the Moirang goal but found the AMOFA custodian a hard nut to crack.

The SSU consolation goal eventually came two minutes into added period when the ball crossed the AMOFA goal-line from a goalmouth scramble with N Jimmy having the final touch.

Meanwhile, the tournament organiser AMFA has fixed ticket rate for the summit clash at Rs 100 for the VIP gallery and Rs 20 for ordinary stand with advance booking counter to be opened at Mapal Kangjeibung from tomorrow morning onwards.

Source: The Sangai Express

Another Story:

National Junior Weightlifting Championships

Andhra lifters bag National Junior crown:

Imphal, Nov 29: Andhra Pradesh bagged the overall crown of the 44th Men and 20th Women's Junior National Weightlifting Championship which concluded at Khuman Lampak SAG Hall here on Thursday.

AP won the title with a haul of four gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Manipur secured runners-up position with two gold, two silver and four bronze medals while the third place went to Uttar Pradesh (2-2-1).

Source: The Sangai Express

Junior National Weightlifting Championships

Andhra lifters top Jr Nationals:

Imphal, Nov 28: Andhra Pradesh climbed to the top of the medals' tally on the third day of the 44th Men and 20th Women's Junior National Weightlifting Championships at Khuman Lampak SAG Hall here on Wednesday.

Andhra added two gold medals to its overnight tally on the penultimate day of the competition today as Orissa and hosts Manipur respectively clung on to second and third positions respectively.

S Yamini (AP) claimed the women's 58 kg crown with 83 kg in snatch and 105 in clean and jerk while the hosts' Sh Jeneta totalled 163 kg to secure second place followed by her teammate N Sumanbala (156) in third place.

The southern state's G Aruna Rani provided the second yellow metal with a total lift of 174 kg in the 63 kg class as Maheswari (170) of Puducherry and Ngangthoi Chanu (168) representing Karnataka respectively bagged the second and third positions.

Among the men, Chandrakanta Mali of Maharashtra lifted 287 kg to win the 85 kg gold, followed by UP's Harpreet Singh (282) and Satendra (276) of Haryana in second and third places respectively.

Source: The Sangai Express

Junior National Weightlifting

Laxmi lifts gold:

Imphal, Nov 27: N Laxmi Devi bagged the women's 53 kg gold to increase Manipur’s medal tally to one gold and a bronze on the second day of the 20th Junior National Weightlifting Championship at the Khuman Lampak SAG Hall on Tuesday.

The bronze medal was won last evening by L Herosana Devi in women's 48 kg class.

While Laxmi made the top podium finish with lifts of 71 kg in snatch and 90 in clean and jerk today, her closest competitor M Sunibala Devi representing Assam settled for the silver with a total of 156 kg while S Anju Devi of Andhra Pradesh took the bronze on heaves of 62 kg in snatch followed by 80 kg in the clean and jerk.

In the 44th Junior Men's National Weightlifting Championship, K Ravi Kumar of Orrisa (284 kg) pipped his state-mate Anupdeo Sarma (261) to clinch the men's 69 kg class gold with Delhi's Gaurav Dubey (253) finishing third in the group.

Two finals were decided in late evening yesterday, with West Bengal lifter Sukhen winning the men's 56 kg competition after tallying 234 kg as Rustam Sarang of Chhattisgarh triumphed in the 62 kg division with a total lift of 262 kg.

Source: The Sangai Express

Junior National Weightlifting Meet

Imphal, Nov 26: The 44th Men and 20th Women Junior National Weightlifting Championship 2007 was opened today at SAG Hall, Khuman Lampak here.

The championship is being participated by 237 lifters from 23 states.

In the Women's 48 kg category competition today, M Shivarani of Andhra Pradesh bagged gold with a total lift of 147 kg.

B Usha of Andhra Pradesh and L Herosana of Manipur took silver and bronze with total lifts of 139 and 134 kg respectively.

The opening ceremony of the championship was graced by Chairman of the Manipur Pollution Control Board E Dwijamani as chief guest and president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Harbhajan Singh as president.

Manipur is fielding 22 lifters in the competition.

Source: The Sanghai Express