Ex-players from Manipur praise decision to host Tri-Nation Friendly Tournament
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Loading... - Manasvi Reddy
- 10 Feb 2023
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Bembem Devi believes this will encourage youngsters to work hard to don the national colours some day.
Sitting at his home in Kolkata, Kiren Khongsai was, for once, thrilled and a bit surprised, when he read the news in the morning. “Every day you read about so many troubling things, and even today, the front page was about the earthquake. It was heart-breaking,” he says. “But when I reached the last page, I was thrilled, happy that at last Manipur is getting something it deserved.” The Federation’s decision to stage the Hero Tri-Nation Friendly Football Tournament in Imphal between March 22-26, in line with it’s objectives in Vision 2047 to spread the game far and wide, has earned a lot of applause, with many former players from the state feeling that this long due honour will do a lot more for the beautiful game in the state. It is for the first time the Senior India Men’s team will play official international matches in Manipur.
On Monday, the honourable Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh made the announcement of Igor Stimac’s team playing the Hero Tri-Nation Friendly Football Tournament in Imphal. Kyrgyz Republic and Myanmar are the other teams in fray. Federation President Mr Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran were present in the press conference in Imphal.
For Khongsai, this is a moment of personal pride too. He was the first player from the state to ever turn out in the Team India colours, making his debut in 1989, against Sri Lanka in SAFF Games in Islamabad. Khongsai made a mere six appearances for India (scoring one goal), but his mere presence was the breaking of a glass ceiling. Presented with the evidence, that this 34-year journey may well be his doing, he downplays it. “I was lucky to play for India when I did,” he says. “It is an honour and I am glad that I share this honour with many more Manipur players.”
The earlobe of India has always made itself heard loudly in Indian Football, having contributed over 50 players to the Indian Men and Women Senior National Teams over the years. Oinam Bembem Devi, one of the game’s greatest female players, believes that hosting an international at the Khuman Lampak will inspire more young players to keep their heads down and work hard to earn their stripes. Read More…
