Classic FA footballers who featured in the champion Indian squad of the 8th SAFF U-16 Football Championship 2023 were given a rousing welcome at the Imphal International Airport, Malom Tulihal on Tuesday.
Of the 15 Manipur footballers in the Indian team, eight belong to Classic Football Academy, Chingmeirong. Classic FA officials and family members gathered in large numbers at the Airport and garlanded them with flowers and traditional lengyan.
It can be mentioned that this is the fifth time India has won the championship, i.e., in the years 2013, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023 while Bangladesh have won twice - in 2015, 2018 and Pakistan in 2011.
The final match saw India beat Bangladesh by 2-0 goals with Bharat Lairenjam scoring in the 9th minute and Levis Jangminlun in the 74th minute at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimpu for the top title.
But of the eight CFA players, six touched down at Imphal Tulihal including Lairenjam Bharat, Md.Arbas, Ahongsangbam Samson, Ningthoujam Rishi, Aheibam Suraj, Yaipharemba Chingakham. Ngamgouhou Mate and Vumlenlal Hangshing stayed back in the national capital for personal reasons.
Striker Bharat Lairenjam said, 'I felt good after scoring the opening goal and the team morale also shot up as we got the needed confidence. I will try to give my best and pursue my dream of playing in the senior level Indian team one day'.
Coach Zenith Mashangva of Classic FA said, it is a memorable and happy moment that they have fifteen players from the state and equally feels proud that eight of the players are from CFA in the Indian team. With the cooperation and support from the parents, we are able to give our best shot in shaping up the boys’ career without the help of foreign coaches, he said.
“We have a good football Academy in the state and the trust and belief that parents put on us, made us work harder to make it happen. We have so many good coaches in the state and we try to fulfil it to the best of our effort”, he added.
Later, Classic Football Academy team had accorded a reception of the players at Classic Grande along with family members and assured them of their support to reach their goal.
