Steve Darby to conduct coaching clinic in Manipur

Reputed English coach Steve Darby, who has experience in having coached top clubs in Singapore, Malaysia besides being the Assistant Coach of the Thailand and Bahrain National teams will conduct a two month coaching clinic for most promising footballers of Manipur in Imphal in May and June 2013.

Stephen David Darby, better known as Steve Darby, is best known as a television pundit for ESPN-Star Sports besides having coached Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan AC for a few months in 2011.

Steve Darby will look after the technical aspects of coaching as well as mentoring the players and preparing them for the highest level of professional football.

The All Manipur Football Association is bringing in Steve Darby to develop its young talented footballers into professional footballers.

4th Dr. T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament: Manipur champions!

Manipur beat rivals and defending champions Mizoram 4-3 on penalties at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong tonight to lift the trophy of the fourth edition of the Dr. T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament, which was played from March 18 to 27.


RESULTS

Group A
18-Mar-2013: Meghalaya 3-0 Arunachal Pradesh
18-Mar-2013: Assam 2-0 Nagaland
20-Mar-2013: Assam 0-2 Arunachal Pradesh
20-Mar-2013: Meghalaya 4-0 Nagaland
22-Mar-2013: Nagaland 1-2 Arunachal Pradesh
22-Mar-2013: Meghalaya 3-0 Assam

Group B
19-Mar-2013: Mizoram 4-3 Sikkim
19-Mar-2013: Manipur 1-1 Tripura
21-Mar-2013: Manipur 3-1 Sikkim
21-Mar-2013: Mizoram 3-0 Tripura
23-Mar-2013: Sikkim 2-2 Tripura
23-Mar-2013: Mizoram 0-0 Manipur

Semifinals
25-Mar-2013: Mizoram 1-0 Arunachal Pradesh
25-Mar-2013: Meghalaya 0-1 Manipur

3rd Place Playoff
26-Mar-2013: Meghalaya 6-2 Arunachal Pradesh

Final
27-Mar-2013: Mizoram 1-1,3-4 Manipur [penalties]

VIDEO: Dr T Ao Football Tournament TV Promo

Here the television promo of the Dr T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament which is currently being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong with all the Northeastern states taking part.

67th Santosh Trophy: Manipur name final 20 player squad

The All Manipur Football Association has announced their final 20 players squad for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The selection-cum-training camp was held at the brand new Artificial Turf Football Ground in Imphal under the watchful eyes of coach M. Ratankumar Singh.

Manipur have been drawn in Group D of the Quarterfinal League and would face Qualifying Group I (B-1), Qualifying Group I (A-2) and Qualifying Group II (Cluster B winner) from February 22 onwards in Kollam, Kerala.


MANIPUR

Goalkeepers
M. Raj Singh (NEROCA), S. Dinakumar Singh (USA), K. Anand Singh (TRAU)

Defenders
M. Meino Singh (TRAU), S. Herojit Singh (KLASA), Daniel Singh (ZFC), T. Raju Singh (Southern Sporting Union), Mohammed Sohail Shah (NEROCA), L. Chandramani Singh (TRAU)

Midfielders
Cleaven Hmar (ZFC), H. Chakravorti (NEROCA), Mohammed Imran Khan (SSU), O. Pitler Singh (NISA), N. Sushil Singh (NEROCA), L. Bikram Singh (TRAU), S. Surchand Singh (TRAU)

Forwards
Mohammed Sahidur Rehman (SSU), Th. Premkumar Singh (TRAU), F. Lalzarzo (USA), Y. Yugeshor Singh (Kenkre FC, Mumbai)

Officials
M. Ratankumar Singh (Coach), Kh. Mohori Singh (Manager)

FIFA Artificial Turf ground inaugurated in Imphal

After much delay the FIFA sponsored artitificial turf at the Rising Athletic Union Ground, which is located close to Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, was finally inaugurated yesterday in the Manipuri capital Imphal.

The ground was inaugurated by Commissioner R.K. Nimai of the Youth Affairs and Sports department along with the All Manipur Football Association president A. Santoshkumar Singh and secretary L. Ranjit Roy.

The artificial turf ground in Manipur is part of the FIFA 'Win in India with India' program, which the world governing body put together to help in the development of infrastructure across India. Part of the program have been grounds in Bangalore, Shillong, Mumbai and Goa besides the one in Imphal, while Barasat (outside Kolkata) is also getting an artificial turf.

The infrastructure around the ground will be developed by the state government in partnership with the All Manipur Football Association over the next 12 months.

The first squad to train on the ground will be the probables of the Manipur state football team, which will be participating in the upcoming 67th Santosh Trophy in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

67th Santosh Trophy: Manipur name 27 probables

The All Manipur Football Association has announced 27 probables for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The selection-cum-training camp would be held from tomorrow onwards at the Artificial Turf Football Ground in Imphal with the players asked to report to coach M. Ratankumar Singh.

Manipur have been drawn in Group D of the Quarterfinal League and would face Qualifying Group I (B-1), Qualifying Group I (A-2) and Qualifying Group II (Cluster B winner) from February 22 onwards in Kollam, Kerala.


MANIPUR Probables

Goalkeepers
M. Raj Singh (NEROCA), S. Dinakumar Singh (USA), K. Anand Singh (TRAU), L. Bishorjit Singh (NISA)

Defenders
M. Meino Singh (TRAU), S. Herojit Singh (KLASA), Daniel Singh (ZFC), T. Raju Singh (Southern Sporting Union), Mohammed Sohail Shah (NEROCA), W. Ngouba Singh (AIM), L. Chandramani Singh (TRAU), Lamkholen Haokip (KSC), T. Ajit Singh (NISA)

Midfielders
Cleaven Hmar (ZFC), H. Chakravorti (NEROCA), Thangminlal Gangte (KSC), Mohammed Imran Khan (SSU), O. Pitler Singh (NISA), N. Sushil Singh (NEROCA), L. Bikram Singh (TRAU), John L. Hmar (USA)

Forwards
Sahidur Rehman (SSU), Th. Premkumar Singh (TRAU), Gogocha Singh (Southern Sporting Union), F. Lalzarzo (USA), G. Ngulkhosiem Singh (KSC), Th. Roshan Singh (NEROCA)

Officials
M. Ratankumar Singh (Coach), Kh. Mohori Singh (Manager)

Meghalaya set to host Dr. T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament

The Union Minister of DoNER and Chairman of the North East Council, Pawan Singh Ghatowar has announced that the 4th Dr. T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament will be held in the state of Meghalaya. Tentatively the tournament has been scheduled from November 15 to 23 in Shillong.

According to DIPR NEC official release, it states that in order to promote healthy spirit of competition and camaraderie amongst the youth and players of the North East states, the North East Council (NEC) instituted the NEC Dr. T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament to be hosted by the Northeastern states in turn annually.

Nagaland, the home state of former India captain Dr. Talimeren Ao, hosted the inaugural Dr. T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament while Manipur and Mizoram hosted the second and third editions respectively.

Cash award for the tournament has been announced as following:

- Winner Rs. 700,000 (7 lakhs)
- Runners-Up Rs. 400,00 (4 lakhs)
- Third Place Rs. 200,000 (2 lakhs)
- 4th Place Rs. 100,000 (1 lakh)

- Fair Play Award Rs. 50,000
- 3rd/4th place finish in league stage @ Rs. 50,000 each

- Player of the Tournament Rs. 20,000
- Highest Goalscorer Rs. 10,000
- Best Goalkeeper Rs. 10,000
- Champion Team Coach and Management Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 40,000 respectively
- Runners-Up Team Coach and Management Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively

Interview with Gouramangi Singh (India/Prayag United)

Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh is at 26 years of age now one of the senior players in the Indian national team. I have had the opportunity over the last decade follow his growth and development, not only as a footballer but also as a human being. This summer the Manipuri left Churchill Brothers after five mostly successful seasons and has joined high spending Prayag United of Kolkata. I caught-up with him to speak about Team India, his new club and the new Euro2012 champions.


Starting off with something interesting. Your India team mate Sunil Chhetri has been signed by Sporting Clube de Portugal. What does this mean for Indian football? Your thoughts on Sunil's signing?

I read about it yesterday morning. It's big news for Indian football, my best wishes are with him as always. Good luck brother! I'm sure you will make us proud.

We should appreciate that a club of Sporting Lisbon's stature intends an association with our country by signing Sunil in their Reserve team. Though I hope their intention is not just exploring the Indian market but more than that something which would help us to develop football in general in the country.


We have a new national coach in Wim Koevermans from the Netherlands. What are your hopes about Team India in the coming season under the new coach?

I always hope high and the best for the Indian team. And I hope with the appointment of our new coach Mr. Wim Koevermans who had played and comes from working in a higher level football nation, his experience will be very much help to the country. And I hope too that he gets all the necessary support and co-operation from every section of our football fraternity and we achieve success under him.


You have after five years left Churchill Brother SC to join Prayag United SC. Why the move from Goa to Kolkata? Why now?

I had a five great years in Churchill Brothers, lots of memories which I will cherish all throughout my life. Thanks to Churchill Alemao's family for always counting on me.

You asked me why now and why to Prayag United and Kolkata? From the football point of view five years ago a group of young lads was at a platform beginning the journey together under Mr. Karim Bencherifa as their coach. By the end of the fifth year the last two individual from the core of the group left was me and Arindam. When time came for me to decide about my future I realised that either I continue with Churchill Brothers or I look to move somewhere else it's anyway going to be similar, a new beginning for me. I listen to my heart and choose to move to a new place, a new club, a new challenge. When Prayag United approached me with their plans and ambition for the coming season, I like it and I informed to my then coach Mr. Subhas Bhowmick and the Management. I'm glad that they understood and respected my decision to move. The interesting part of being in Prayag United is there is no way in comparison in terms of history, success, trophy won, fan base, etc with the other two most successful club in Kolkata and in the country. Hope that can be an inspiration for Prayag United, tomorrow if we can win a small cup or trophy that's going to be so valuable and huge for us. It's a big challenge but hope we can do it as a team.


Prayag United look like the team to beat, then besides you they have signed Subrata Pal, Ranty Martins Soleye, World Cupper Carlos Hernandez and a host of other players. Added pressure on you all to win trophies for the club?

Prayag United was a formidable side even last year, they did considerably well. They had managed to knockout several big guns in the I-League. They weren't far behind and not much differences in terms of points.

As you have mentioned for the coming season I think they did pretty well in the transfer market bringing in few establish names in the Indian football and several talented youngsters. So obviously they look pretty much a good side maybe not the best but who atleast are ready to give a fight with the other big names in the I-League. There is nothing like added pressure on us but I'm sure we are going to fight and give our best shot to win as many matches as we can. Just hoping for the best that we combine and gel well as a good team.


You went in May to England for a coaching course. At 26 you are still young, but are you already thinking about the future?

Well, if I'm not mistaken this summer is the longest break we have got in the last five years as there is no assignment with the national team. As one among millions I too also believe in learning never ends or there is any age barrier.

I had informed our FPAI general manager Anuj Kichlu several months ago to update me if anything comes up this summer where I can participate which is related and something to do with football, so the coaching course come along the way at the right time and I'm lucky and glad to be part of the week-long course not necessarily I've to become a coach in the future but I picked up some more information from there about the game and I'm happy.


Spain won the Euro2012 on Sunday night with a 4-0 demolition of Italy. Your thoughts on the old-and-new champions?

Names of each member in the squad will be going down in the history books, that's already a priceless achievement. They truly deserved it. They were the undisputed best team in recent time on this planet.

I've no doubt they will be still the team to beat in Brazil 2014. It will be no surprise if they make even more history in Brazil. Good luck!!!

Tamil Nadu to meet Services in Santosh Trophy final

Tamil Nadu won their semifinal to reach the finals at the 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy after beating Manipur 2-0 and now face Services on Monday in the final. The tournament is being played from May 11 to 28 across Orissa in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Baragarh.

The Tamilians on the field at the Barabati Stadium answered all the prayers as Tamil Nadu held onto a first-half lead to beat Manipur 2-0 and book a summit clash with Services in the final of the 66th Santosh Trophy. Striker A. Reagan scored the first goal in the 35th minute and substitute M. David sealed the fate in the 85th minute.

Tamil Nadu are coached by former India striker Syed Shabir Pasha, who has been an assistant to Colm Joseph Toal for age-group National Teams, the 'Shape' stayed an integral part. Tamil Nadu started on a cautious note and stayed willing to play the waiting game. They allowed their opponents to come to them but never opened their goalmouth. Their penchant for counters also worked wonders for them.

After a series of attacks on the rival citadel, Tamil Nadu eventually gained the lead in the 35th minute. Jayakumar's defence-splitting pass opened up the Manipur defence and striker A. Reagan beat rival stopper James Singh for speed and tapped it past an onrushing rival goalkeeper Sanasam Basant Singh.

Tamil Nadu who looked more purposeful in the first half, should have gained the lead much earlier. In the 20th minute, Nirmal Kumar broke free as James chased but his tap from the top of the box went wide. Nirmal had all the time to go past goalkeeper Basant Singh but he wasn't willing to. And then, four minutes later, Jayakumar after being set in the clear by John Paul, shot straight to Basant from a hand-shaking distance. Manipur fizzled out a bit as the game progressed in the first half. But a Govin Singh header off a corner and a Boy Singh free-kick from just outside the box deserve mention.

Enjoying a one-goal cushion at the interval, Tamil Nadu went into a defensive shell in the second half. The strategy allowed the Manipuris that extra bit of space in the midfield. Manipur's best chance went abegging in the 61st minute – Boy Singh failing to trap a centre from the left and Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Akhil Soman thwarted the danger. That apart, there were quite a few anxious moments in the Tamil Nadu box and Manipuri striker Thoi Singh's diving header even entered the net only to be disallowed for off-side. Tamil Nadu sealed the fate in the 85th minute, a counter-attack doing the trick for them. Substitute M. David finished it off as he slotted past Basant Singh.

Now Tamil Nadu will try to win their first-ever Santosh Trophy title, but Services are in the way of the young team from down south.

The final, which kicks-off at 18.00 IST on Tuesday, April 28 will be telecast live on DD Sports.

Manipur await Tamil Nadu youngsters challenge

The 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy is being played from May 11 to 28 across Orissa in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Baragarh. Tomorrow in the second semifinal in Cuttack, Manipur take on Tamil Nadu.

For a state which has been the nursery of Indian football for the last decade, Manipur, who are still to have an I-League club from the state look up to the Santosh Trophy to make a mark. "When you look around, you will see footballers all over – on the streets, on the fields, on the grounds. The ball stays an inseparable part of our lives," Premakanta Singh, Manipur's Assistant Coach, a former Senior Women's National Team Coach says in one breath. "To break into an I-League Club, you need the exposure. Santosh Trophy stays the platform for us," he quips.

Kiron Khongsai, Gunabir Singh, Renedy Singh, Tomba Singh, Gouramangi Singh – the list of Manipur players stay endless. It seems to be in the blood not only of the Manipuris but of the entire North-East region. After all, the first National Team Captain of Independent India Dr. T. Ao also hails from the region, from the state of Nagaland.

"We know they will be nippy and come hard at us," former India international Syed Shabir Pasha, presently the Tamil Nadu coach, maintains. "The average age of our side stays 24 and for 85 percent of our boys, this is their first major Championship," he informs.

"It's futile to expect a boy to stick to state team when they have offers from I-League teams. Sadly, we don't have any I-League team from our state. So the Santosh Trophy stays of utter importance to us," Pasha, coach of Indian Bank - Chennai who also works as an assistant coach to Colm Toal, adds.

Speak to Pasha and his eyes lit up about his association with the Santosh Trophy as a player. "During our days (in the 1990s), it was different. Santosh Trophy was all about glamour. West Bengal were the toughest to beat. They had almost the entire India XI line-up playing for them," he goes nostalgic. "Nowadays, the concept is different as the tournament is all about development and for us; it stays our I-League."

"None of the four semifinalists in the tournament boast of an I-League club (Chirag Kerala have just been relegated). This proves there is talent all over. Give them the platform and they will entertain you," Pasha ponders.

The historic Barabati Stadium awaits the kick-off at 18.30 IST.

66th Santosh Trophy - Day 11: Kerala & Manipur qualify for semifinals

The 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy on its eleventh day today played matches in Group A and B of the Quarterfinal League in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. The third and final quarterfinal league match in Group A and B were played today with Kerala and Manipur moving into the semifinals.

Former champions Kerala defeated Maharashtra to top Group A Quarterfinal round and advance to the semifinals of the 66th Santosh Trophy at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Maharashtra who had won their first two matches and needed only a draw to advance to the last four. They took the lead in the 8th minute through in-form striker Kailash Patil converting from the spot. But Kerala hit back only two minutes later when Surjith V.V. equalised in the 10th minute. In the second half, R. Kannan scored a brace to seal the issue for Kerala. He scored his first in the 72nd minute and then put it beyond Maharashtra's reach scoring his team’s third goal in the 81st minute. Kerala finished on seven points from three matches while Maharashtra ended on six points.

Meanwhile in the other Group A match defending champions West Bengal, who had earlier bowed out of the tournament, defeated Punjab 2-1 in their last Group League match. After Gurmeet Singh put Punjab in the lead in the 16th minute, but only a minute later Mohammed Mukhtar equalised and then Tapan Maity scored in the 87th minute to turn things around for Bengal. West Bengal finished on four points from three matches while Punjab remained pointless.

In the Group B decider at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Manipur played a two-all draw against Goa and advanced to the semifinal piping Goa on a better goal difference. Both teams finished on seven points from three matches but Manipur moved-on by virtue of the better goal difference (+7) in comparison to Goa's (+3). For Manipur Kh. Thoi Singh scored the opener in the 19th minute which was neutralized by Goa's Gabriel Fernandes in the 26th minute. Prathesh Shirodkar put Goa ahead in the 45th minute but M. Govin Singh restored parity for Manipur in the 70th minute and sealed their passage to the semifinals.

In an inconsequential Group B match Meghalaya beat Uttar Pradesh 3-0. Ronnie McDonald Nongbri scored the first goal for Meghalaya in the 7th minute while Bansharai Sun doubled the lead in the 18th minute. Timmy Ryngkhlem scored the third goal in the 82nd minute. Meghalaya finished on three points from three matches while Uttar Pradesh lost all their group matches.


Day Eleven Results

Group-A - Cuttack
22-May-2012: Maharashtra 1-3 Kerala
[M: 8 Kailash Patil; K: 10 Surjith V.V., 72,81 R. Kannan]
22-May-2012: West Bengal 2-1 Punjab
[W: 17 Mohammed Mukhtar, 87 Tapan Maity; P: 16 Gurmeet Singh]

Group-B - Bhubaneswar
22-May-2012: Meghalaya 3-0 Uttar Pradesh
[7 Ronnie McDonald Nongbri, 18 Bansharai Sun, 82 Timmy Ryngkhlem]
22-May-2012: Manipur 2-2 Goa
[M: 19 Kh. Thoi Singh, 70 M. Govin Singh; G: 26 Gabriel Fernandes, 45 Prathesh Shirodkar]

66th Santosh Trophy - Day 9: Bengal out as Maharashtra, Goa & Manipur win

The 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy on its ninth day today played matches in Group A and B of the Quarterfinal League in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. The defending champions West Bengal are out after a goalless draw against Kerala.

Champions West Bengal played a goalless draw against Kerala in their second Group A Quarterfinal League match at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The 31-time record champions, who had lost to Maharashtra in their opener, desperately went out for a win but weren't successful. Kerala moved to four points from two matches and a chance to still progress while West Bengal are on one point from two matches.

In the day's other Group A match, Maharashtra rode on Kailash Patil's hattrick to rout Punjab 5-0. Vijith Shetty had put Maharashtra in the lead as early as the 7th minute before striker Patil scored in the 29th, 71st and the 83rd minute. Reuben D'Souza completed the rout in the 88th minute. Maharashtra after their second win are top of the group with six points matches while Punjab are yet to open their account and are out of the tournament.

In a Group B Quarterfinal League match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar strong title contenders Goa scraped past Meghalaya 2-1. Sachin Gawas put Goa in the lead in the 57th minute only for Bansharai Sun to restore parity in the 70th minute. But Gabriel Fernandes would win it in the 87th minute for Goa, who move to six points from two matches while Meghalaya are yet to open their account.

In another Group B match Manipur pumped in half-a-dozen goals against a hapless Uttar Pradesh. L. Chaothoiba Singh scored four goals (32nd, 53rd, 65th and 68th) while Kh. Thoi Singh and Kh.Naoton Singh scored one apiece in the 78th and 92nd minute respectively. Manipur stay at the top of Group B with six points from two matches while Uttar Pradesh stay at the bottom without a point.


Day Nine Results

Group-A - Cuttack
20-May-2012: Kerala 0-0 West Bengal
20-May-2012: Maharashtra 5-0 Punjab
[7 Vijith Shetty, 29,71,83 Kailash Patil, 88 Reuben D'Souza]

Group-B - Bhubaneswar
20-May-2012: Meghalaya 1-2 Goa
[M: 70 Bansharai Sun; G: 57 Sachin Gawas, 87 Gabriel Fernandes]
20-May-2012: Uttar Pradesh 0-6 Manipur
[32,53,65,68 L. Chaothoiba Singh, 78 Kh. Thoi Singh, 90+2 Kh. Naoton Singh]

66th Santosh Trophy - Day 7: Maharashtra upset champions Bengal

The 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy on its seventh day today played matches in Group A and B of the Quarterfinal League in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Champions Bengal were beaten by Maharashtra, but in other matches the favourites Manipur, Goa and Kerala won.

Defending champions West Bengal were beaten 2-1 by Maharashtra in their opening quarterfinal league match at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. ONGC striker Kailash Patil opened the scoring for Maharashtra in the 20th minute, which was doubled by Linekar Machando in the 70th minute against the run of play. But West Bengal captain Tarif Ahmed pulled one back in the very next minute but Maharashtra managed to hold on until the end.

In another Group A match Kerala rode on an injury-time strike from Shibinlal to scrape past former champions Punjab 2-1. Punjab went into the lead in the 38th minute through a Rohit Kumar strike. But Kerala restored parity in the 73rd minute through Sajith T. before Shibinlal sealed the fate in the 93rd minute.

In a Group B quarterfinal league match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhuwaneswar, Manipur beat Northeastern rivals Meghalaya 1-0. L. Chaothaiba Singh scored the match-winner in the 62nd minute.

In the groups other match Goa overcame minnows Uttar Pradesh 2-0 with Gabriel Fernandes and Agnelo Colaco scoring one apiece in the 54th and 61st minute respectively.


Day Seven Results

Group-A - Cuttack
18-May-2012: West Bengal 1-2 Maharashtra
[W: 71 Tarif Ahmed; M: 20 Kailash Patel, 70 Linekar Machando]
18-May-2012: Punjab 1-2 Kerala
[P: 38 Rohit Kumar; K: 73 Sajith T., 90+3 Shibinlal]

Group-B - Bhubaneswar
18-May-2012: Manipur 1-0 Meghalaya
[62 L. Chaothoiba Singh]
18-May-2012: Goa 2-0 Uttar Pradesh
[54 Gabriel Fernandes , 61 Agnelo Colaco]

66th Santosh Trophy: Manipur name final squad

The All Manipur Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which will be played from May 11 to 27 across Orissa. The AMFA had invited 33 players in total to the trials in the state capital Imphal.

The AMFA has appointed Kh. Surmani Singh, an AFC 'B' licence holder as coach of the Manipur state team, who has picked many players with experience in the I-League and 2nd Division which should be useful for Manipur in the tournament.

Manipur have been drawn in the quarterfinal league Group B along with Goa plus the winners of Cluster III and Cluster V playing their matches on May 19 (vs Cluster III), May 21 (vs Cluster V) and May 23 (vs Goa).


MANIPUR

Goalkeepers
Sanasam Basant Singh (Sikkim United FC), L. Premkumar Singh (Langsning FC), M. Raj Singh (NEROCA)

Defenders
Moirangthem Govin Singh (Sikkim United FC), K. Naoba Singh (Assam Rifles), K. James Singh (Royal Wahingdoh FC), Syed Farid (Sikkim United FC), K. Priyokumar Singh (Manipur Police SC), L. Chandramani Singh (AIM), L. Ratan Singh (NISA)

Midfielders
L. Nabachandra Singh (Langsning FC), Th. Priyokumar Singh (Assam State Electricity Board), I. Ajit Singh (Assam Rifles), Ph. Boy Singh (Royal Wahingdoh FC), L. Chaothoiba Singh (Assam Rifles), L. Gouro Singh (AIM), E. Aboicha Singh (TRAU)

Forwards
Kh. Thoi Singh (Sikkim United FC), Kh. Naoton Singh (AIM), Th. Vandona Singh (NEROCA)

Officials
Kh. Surmani Singh (Coach), S. Premkanta Singh (Goalkeeper Coach), L. Dinamani Singh (Manager)

66th Santosh Trophy: Manipur name probables

The All Manipur Football Association has invited a total of 33 probables for the selection trials of the Assam state team for the 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy will be played from May 11 to 27 across Orissa. The selection trials will be held in the Manipuri capital Imphal.

The AMFA has appointed Kh. Surmani Singh, an AFC 'B' licence holder as coach of the Manipur state team. Amongst the 33 players who have been called for the selection trials 20 of the players play in Manipur while the 13 other players play for 2nd Division I-League sides and teams in the Northeast.

Manipur have been drawn in the quarterfinal league Group B along with Goa plus the winners of Cluster III and Cluster V playing their matches on May 19 (vs Cluster III), May 21 (vs Cluster V) and May 23 (vs Goa).


MANIPUR Probables

Goalkeepers
Sanasam Basant Singh (Sikkim United FC), Premkumar Singh (Langsning FC), S. Jiten Singh (YDO), M. Raj Singh (NEROCA), L. Biswajit Singh (NISA)

Defenders
Moirangthem Govin Singh (Sikkim United FC), Naoba Singh (Assam Rifles), James Singh (Royal Wahingdoh FC), Syed Farid (Sikkim United FC), Ph. Boy Singh (Royal Wahingdoh FC), K. Benjamin Singh (Manipur Police SC), K. Priyokumar Singh (Manipur Police SC), N. Ngouba Singh (AIM), L. Chandramani Singh (AIM), Y. Hemanta Singh (TRAU), L. Ratan Singh (NISA)

Midfielders
Chaothoiba Singh (Assam Rifles), L. Nabachandra Singh (Langsning FC), Priyokumar Singh (Assam State Electricity Board), Ajit Singh (Assam Rifles), S. Manimohon Singh (NISA), L. Gouro Singh (AIM), Bengkok Nameirakpam (TRAU), E. Aboicha Singh (TRAU), Ng. Tomarjit Singh (NEROCA), H. Chakraborty (NEROCA), N. Joykumar Singh (YDO)

Forwards
Kh. Thoi Singh (Sikkim United FC), Seityasen Singh (Royal Wahingdoh FC), I. Nilakumar Singh (Manipur Police SC), Kh. Naoton Singh (AIM), Th. Vandona Singh (NEROCA), N. Dhananjoy Singh (TRUGPU)

Dr. T. Ao NorthEast Football Trophy: Mizoram champions

Mizoram are the new Dr. T. Ao NorthEast Football Trophy champions after beating Sikkim 9-8 on penalties yesterday at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. The match had ended one-all in regulation time. The Dr. T. Ao NorthEast "DONER" Football Trophy was played at the Paljor Stadium from March 2 to 9 with the seven Northeastern states plus hosts Sikkim taking part. The tournaments aim is to promote football in the Northeast.

Mizoram received the champions trophy and Rs 700,000 (7 lakhs) while Sikkim were awarded Rs 400,000 (4 lakhs) and the runners-up trophy. Other prizes were handed out to the players, who performed throughout the tournament.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Group A
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Sikkim

02-Mar-2012: Sikkim 2-2 Arunachal Pradesh
03-Mar-2012: Mizoram 3-1 Assam
04-Mar-2012: Sikkim 1-3 Mizoram
05-Mar-2012: Arunachal Pradesh 1-2 Assam
06-Mar-2012: Sikkim 1-0 Assam
07-Mar-2012: Arunachal Pradesh 1-1 Mizoram

Group B
Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura

02-Mar-2012: Manipur 4-2 Nagaland
03-Mar-2012: Meghalaya 1-3 Tripura
04-Mar-2012: Manipur 1-0 Tripura
05-Mar-2012: Nagaland 0-0 Meghalaya
06-Mar-2012: Manipur 1-0 Meghalaya
07-Mar-2012: Nagaland 1-1 Tripura

Semifinals
08-Mar-2012: Manipur 0-1 Sikkim
08-Mar-2012: Tripura 2-4 Mizoram

Final
09-Mar-2012: Sikkim 1-1(8-9) Mizoram [on penalties]

Sikkim to host Dr. T. Ao NorthEast Football Trophy

Sikkim is set to host the next edition of the Dr. T. Ao NorthEast "DONER" Football Trophy will be played at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok from March 2 to 9, 2012. The tournament will be organised in the state by the Sikkim Sports and Youth Affairs Department (S&YA) with financial support from the North Eastern Council (NEC) and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER).

The aim of the Dr. T. Ao NorthEast Football Trophy is to promote football in the Northeastern region. The tournament would see all the eight Northeastern states take part besides hosts Sikkim there would be Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura in action.

The champions would received Rs 200,000 (2 lakhs), the losing finalists Rs 100,000 (1 lakh) and the semifinalists would get Rs 50,000 each. Besides these there would be a Fair Play Trophy with a cash reward of Rs 50,000, Player of the Tournament (Rs 25,000) plus Highest Goalscorer and Best Goalkeeper (Rs 10,000 each) of the tournament. The coach and manager of the champions will be given Rs 20,000 each, while the coach and manager from the runners-up team would get Rs 10,000.

The tournament was first held in May 2003 in the Assamese capital Guwahati with the hosts winning 4-1 on penalties against Manipur. The first edition had been organised by the Sport Authority of India, Guwahati then, while the last edition had been played in Manipur.

North-East Premier League set for March 2012 launch

The ambitious North-East Premier League (NEPL) is set for a March 2012 launch. It is an AIFF initiative being pushed by the federations vice-president Ankur Dutta, who hails from the Northeast. The NEPL is an effort to promote football in the region with Calcutta-based Celebrity Management Group set to organise the league. The overall prize money would be Rs 10 Million (1 crore) with the clubs set to earn further potential revenues from TV rights and sponsorship sales.

The NEPL will feature the state champions from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. There had been an earlier proposal to include the champions of Sikkim as the eight team, but that idea has been dropped due to logistical reasons. Now a pre-tournament will be held amongst the state league runners-up of the seven states to determine the eighth team.

As per plans the eight participating teams will be split into two groups of four teams each with all playing each other home-and-away in the group stage. From there the top two teams will qualify for the semifinals with the winners moving on into the finals.

As per the NEPL rules only commercial entity football clubs will be allowed to participate meaning Public Sector Undertaking clubs, which are common in the Northeast will not be allowed to participate; while winning the league will open opportunities in the I-League Division 2.

The NEPL is set to be played over a nine week period from March 2012 onwards with travel and fatigue a potential problem which the organisers would have to look into.

NISA are 6th Manipur State League champions!

Manipur's premier outfit NISA have won the title of Manipur State League champions. The sixth edition of the Manipur State League was held from August to October 2011, but this time around with only 10 teams instead of the usual 12 teams participated in the league unlike the first five editions. Also the league was held as a one-leg affair instead of the usual home-and-away format to cut down on costs.

NISA as champions received a sum of Rs 200,000 (2 lakhs) as prize money, while Manipur Police SC as runners-up got Rs 100,000 (1 lakh). Third-placed AIM were awarded the Fair Play Trophy and Rs 50,000.

NISA's L. Nabachandra Singh was named Best Player of the Tournament, while Th. Vandona Singh of NEROCA was the top scorer of the league. Both received Rs 20,000 each for their achievements.

At the other end of the table YWC and YDO were relegated to the Super Division due to finishing in the bottom two of the Manipur State League.


6th Manipur State League - Standings

01. NISA (North Imphal Sporting Association) - pts
02. Manipur Police SC - 15 pts
03. AIM (Anouba Imagi Mangal) - 14 pts
04. NEROCA (North Eastern Reorganisation & Cultural Association) - 13 pts
05. Southern Sporting Union - 13 pts
06. USA (United Sporting Association) - 11 pts
07. TRAU (Tiddim Road Athletic Union) - 11 pts
08. TRUGPU (Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players Union) - 11 pts
09. YWC (Youth Welfare Club) - 10 pts
10. YDO (Youth Development Organisation) - 02 pts

North-East Premier League on the cards

To further promote club football across the Northeastern states the All India Football Federation is working on plans with the regions state football associations to launch the North-East Premier League. Kolkata-based Celebrity Management Group is set to partner the AIFF to organise and raise sponsorship for the league.

The NE Premier League is set to feature the top teams from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura along with a team from Sikkim. It will be an eight team league. The format has not been finalised yet, but the AIFF is pushing for a start during the ongoing 2011/12 season.

It has been decided that a clubs participating squad could include upto three foreigners, but it would be mandatory to have no less than six local players and the same number of Under-21 players. The rest of the team could be from anywhere in India with no Northeast restrictions.

From this set of players the three foreigners, two local players and one Under-21 would have to be in the starting eleven, while also having such a combination amongst the playing eleven throughout the game.

The aim of the league is to not only promote club football in the North-East, but also talent from the region and bridge the gap with the rest of the country.