Women's Football

Golden Year for Manipuri Women:

It was a sweet revenge for Manipuri girls over their opponents who dared to challenge their supremacy in sub junior football in recent years. Manipur defeated last year's winners Orissa 2-0 in the final of 4th Girl's (U-17) Sub Junior National Football Championship 2007-2008 at Diphu in Assam (April 25-May 11, 2008).

N. Montesori Chanu and E. Bindyarani Devi scored for Manipur. The duo must be doubly
happy that they were part of the team that lost to Orissa in the last edition.

Manipur had won the first and second editions of the tournament before Orissa won it in the third edition. Interestingly, all the finals so far had been between Manipur and Orissa. In the first edition at Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu in 2003, Manipur beat Orissa 1-0 in the final. In the second edition in 2004 at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu from December 9-24, Manipur had won 4-0 with a hat-trick from Bala Devi and Lalvarmoi Hmar scoring the other goal.

In the third edition in Chandigarh (July 10-27, 2006), the Manipur team led by international Bembem Devi and coached by yesteryear star Chaoba Devi returned second best losing to Orissa 0-1. This year, Manipur had beaten Chandigarh 17-0, Goa 6-0, Kerala 11-0, Mizoram 5-0 en-route to the semifinal where they beat Tamil Nadu 1-0.

The sub junior win also completed Manipur's domination in the women's football arena with the small state winning two other national competitions in the AIFF calendar -- U-19 and senior nationals. In the 16th Women's National Football Championship 2008 at Haldia in West Bengal from February 29 to March 16, Manipur beat Orissa 4-1 in the final while in the last edition of the Girls' under-19 National Football Championships held in Pondicherry from January 3 to 20, Manipur defeated Tamil Nadu 5-1 in the final.

Manipuri girls made up of more than half of national squad in U-17, U-19 and seniors. Players like Ngangom Bala Devi, Bembem Devi, Romi Devi Ashem and Lalvarmoi Hmar have graduated from U-17 to U-19 and now in the senior national squad.

Important members of Manipur team in the last three editions of U-17 national championship:
2nd edition (at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu from December 9 to 24, 2004): Bembem Devi, Ng. Bala Devi, A. Romi Devi, Kamala Devi, N. Roma Devi, L. Naobi Devi, Prameshwori Devi, Surbala Devi, Itarani Devi, Radharani Devi, Ranjita Devi, Lalvarmoi Hmar.
3rd edition (in Chandigarh from July 10 to 27, 2006): Y. Kamala Devi, M. Bembem Devi, N. Chanchan Chanu, N. Montesori Chanu, M. Mandakini Devi, N. Binodini Devi, T. Nungshitombi
Devi, W. Radharani Devi, H. Bijeta Devi, E Bindyarani Devi, Ksh Naocha Devi, I Itabala Devi
4th edition (at Diphu in Assam from April 25 to May 11, 2008): Y. Premi Devi, Ksh. Naocha
Devi, Y. Chandrajini Devi, E. Bindryarani Devi, N. Montesori Devi, K. Rameshori Devi, T.
Nungshitombi Devi.

India U-17 squad for the AFC U-17 women's championship in April 2005:
Goalkeeper: Wangkhem Thabal Devi (captain), Ahalaya Munda, Neelam Khalko
Defenders: Alochana Senapati, Romi Devi Ashem, Thangjam Ranjita, Tuli Goon, Suprana
Supraya Samal, Gulti Choudhary, Manpreet Sidhu
Midfielders: Chingtham Sanathoi Chanu, Lalvarmoi Hmar, Maibam Bembem Devi, Sasmita Malik, Manpreet Kaur, Suganya Raju
Forwards: Sapna Guria, Ngangom Bala Devi, Sangita Patra, Nameirakpam Roma Devi
Chief Coach: Moirangthem Ratan Kumar Singh

India U-19 squad for the AFC U-19 women's championship in Novemebr 2006:
Goalkeeper: Wangkhem Thabal Devi, Tarini Singh, Neelam Khalko
Defenders: Tuli Goon (captain), Surbala Devi Khumukcham, Alochana Senapati, Sabita Singh, Valarmita Ravi, Bijay Laxmi Sahoo, Romi Devi Ashem
Midfielders: Maibam Bembem Devi, Manpreet Kaur, Asha Rani Laishram, Chingtham Sanathoi Chanu, Sasmita Malik, Prameshwori Devi Irom, Shradhanjali Sahoo, Rinki Kujur, Nameirakpam Roma Devi
Forwards: Ngangom Bala Devi, Manpreet Kaur Sidhu, Lalvarmoi Hmar, Anuradha Chetri
Chief Coach: Moirangthem Ratan Kumar Singh

Indian women's senior squad for the AFC Women's Asia Cup Qualifiers 2008 in October 2007:
Goalkeeper: Ronibala Chanu Lourembam (Manipur), Prasanthi Pradhan
Defenders: Madhu Kumari (Bihar), Romi Devi Ashem (Manipur), Nameirakpam Geeta Rani Chanu (Manipur), Thoi Devi (Manipur), Alochana Senapati (West Bengal), Gulti Choudhary (West Bengal), Jayanti Barua, Ansha
Midfielders: Gitanjali Kuntia (Orissa), Oinam Bembem Devi (Manipur), Ngangom Bala Devi (Manipur), Lalvarmoi Hmar (Manipur), Gayatri Mallick (West Bengal), Rinku Ghosh (West Bengal), Pinky Bompal Magar (Orissa), Amoolya Jayaram
Forwards: Susmita Malick (West Bengal), Domiana Gomendes (Goa), Shilpy Deb (West Bengal),
Jagdeep Kaur (Punjab), Vasanthy Somu
Chief Coach: Premkanta Singh

51st Sir Churachand Football

NISA is new CC Meet champion:

Imphal, Dec 9: North Imphal Sports Association (NISA) of Thangmeiband claimed the champion’s trophy of the 51st All India Sir Churachand Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Invtitation Football Tournament 2007 beating AMOFA 2-0 today at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium here on Sunday.

This was NISA`s third appearance in the final of CC Meet. NISA lost to ARST in the 1969 final while in 1994 it lost to All India.

The final match between NISA and AMOFA which started at 1.15pm was witnessed by a near capacity crowd of around 25,000 spectators. The match managed to generate excitement in the first minute itself.

NISA`s midfielder M Bidyasagar crossed the ball from right wing to the goal mouth to O Pritam who getting no shot at the goal gave a through pass to Manimohon whose shot at the goal was saved by goalkeeper L Premkumar. Another quick attack followed, K Ajitkumar sent a through pass to striker O. Pritam whose shot at the goal was again saved by the goalkeeper.

The first goal came in the 5th minute of the play. M Bidyasagar gave a minus pass to K Ajitkumar whose shot hit the crossbar and off the deflection, S Manimohon took a first timer which found the back of the net.

AMOFA of Moirang had a golden chance to score when striker Th Joychandra lofted the ball over the goalkeeper L Ashok. However right back Raju Mangang made a goalmouth clearance to deny AMOFA the chance to equalise.

In the second half, NISA fully dominated the match. In the 66th minute of play K Subash of AMOFA fouled Ch Dhanakumar but referee L Ajit gave advantage to NISA. The ball eventually came in the possession of O Pritam with only the goalkeeper L Premkumar in the front of him. O Pritam an experienced player made no mistake and slotted the ball home to make in 2-0 in favour of NISA.

Centre referee L Ajitkumar Meitei, a national referee, who conducted the final penalised three players each from both the teams. From NISA, S Rojen in the 7th minute, M Bidyasagar in the 46th minute and W Ngamba in the 64th minute were shown yellow cards. From AMOFA, S Genlemlal Guite in the 11th minute, Kh Binoy in the 13th minute and L Romio in the 61st minute of the play were shown yellow cards.

The AMFA honoured veteran football players who represented the state in major tournaments outside the state and brought glory to the state. For this year the veteran footballers honoured were: Y Ibohanbi, N Biren and Angouba Kabui. The organising committee also presented mementos to match commissioners cum referee inspectors, panel of referees and spotters as a token of appreciation for their contribution in the successful conduct of this tournament.

T Suraj of NISA won the Footballer of the year trophy for men with a cash award of Rs 5,000. Suraj participated in N/E 43rd junior nationals at Nagaon winners, All India 43rd junior nationals at Chattisgarh, 50th CC meet representing NISA and also attended the India under 19 national football champ. Suraj is at present playing in NISA.The cash award for this trophy is donated by the family of late E Ibohal, who made a considerable contributions to the development of football in the state and who represented the country in different capacities.

Footballer of the year trophy for women with a cash award of Rs 2,000 went to L Ronibala of MPSC. She represented Inda in the qualifying competition of the pre-olympic women football competition and AFC Women’s Asian cup as the captain. She was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the 15th senior women’s national. The trophy and cash award is donated by K Baruni of Lalambung Takhellambam.



The 51st CC meet 2007 fair play trophy with cash of Rs. 2,000 went to United Sports Association of Khurai IEDFA. The trophy and cash award is donated by Smt Ngangom Subadani in memory of her husband, late Major Ng Joydutta a Vir Chakra awardee. Born at Thangmeiband on Nov 28th 1953 and commissioned in the Indian army as he died while on duty as a part of Indian peace keeping force at Jafna Sri Lanka on Oct 13th 1987.

Best goalkeeper trophy with cash of Rs. 2,000 was won by L Premkumar of AMOFA. The trophy and cash award is donated by A Gourashyam of Kongba in memory of his son late A Palendra a renowned goalkeeper of water polo. The 51st CC meet 2007 best player trophy with cash of Rs. 2,000 went to I Nilakumar of MPSC.

The trophy and cash award is donated by AK Birendra of Keishamthong Top Leirak in memory of his son late Byron Angomcha SI born on February 14, 1962, he was awarded distinguished meritorious service including the president’s police medal for gallantry award in the year 1995. Byron expired on November 15, 1994.

The top scorer trophy of the 51st CC meet with a cash award of Rs. 2,000 was given to Th Joychandra of AMOFA. The trophy and cash award is donated by Nandeibal Binapani of Thangmeiband in memory of her husband late N Chitra. A Running trophy with cash award of Rs. 2,000 to the man of the final match 51st CC meet was won by P Pritam of NISA. The cash award was donated by A Manao of Kiyamgei in memory of his late son A Surjit. Oja Kamini Kumar Memorial Trophy for the year and a cash prize of Rs 5000 went to Elangbam Ratan AFC "C" license coach. The trpohy and the cash prize is donated by Waribam MEmcha in memory of her late husband WKK Singh (1936-2001). During his life time, Oja Kamini had made remarkable contribution in the development of football. Oja Benudhar Memorial Trophy for the best referee of the 51st CC Meet with cash of Rs. 5,000 went to L Ajitkumar Meitei, a national referee. The cash and the trophy is donated by family members of Oja Benudhar.

AMOFA of Moirang was awarded the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. The Trophy is donated by late MY Khan in the memory of his father Khan Bahadur Shemsuddin Khan Durani. The cash award of Rs. 25,000 is borne by th AMFA.

Finally, the champions trophy and a cash award of Rs 60,000 was presented to NISA. The running trophy with gold at the center was presented by his highness the Maharaja of Manipur Bodhachandra. The gold portion of the trophy was donated by late Maharajakumar Tutendra the eldest son of Maharaja Bodhachandra in the name of Maharaja Churachand Singh, Knight Commander Star of India, Commander of British Empire who was a great patron of sports. 4th Bn Assam Rifles was the first winner of the trophy. The cash award of Rs. 60,000 is borne by AMFA.

Source: The Imphal Free Press

Posted on: www.kanglaonline.com

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