A brilliant brace by Goulal Singsit helped debutant Khongngam Memorial Team Ekou Mulam, Saikul to a comfortable 4-01 victory over former runner-up Lalcha Memorial Team Saparmeina to win the Champion title of the Kuki Football Academy's 5th Open Night Football Tournament on Saturday night.
The premier night football tournament organised successfully for five consecutive years by the Kuki Football Academy since 2017 has not only been considered a football tournament now as it has become one of the biggest winter pre-Christmas festivals in Kangpokpi district.
As many as 66 teams/clubs from various communities across the district and the state who were clubbed together in 22 pools participated in the two-month-long 5th Edition of the KFA's Open Night Football Tournament 2021 which had commenced from October 13 and was successfully and peacefully culminated on December 12 evening.
The glittering closing ceremony amidst thousands of crowd was graced by the local MLA Nemcha Kipgen as Chief Guest while Dr. Robin Raomai Heni, Founder and President, Compassionate Children Ministries, Senapati who is also the Joint Secretary, International UNICEF Council, and Th. Salou Maram, MFS (Retd.) attended as Guests of Honour where Sadar Hills District Sports Association President, Chongpu Kipgen attended as the Functional President.
The local MLA Nemcha Kipgen said that sports and music have no barriers as it spreads love and positivity to all in the society and sports have always had a monumental impact on culture and values in society.
She continued that sport is an important social phenomenon in all levels of modern society, providing a large impact on key areas of social life.
Sport, being one of the most important means of enhancing human health, physical development, and improvement, also has a significant positive impact on his spiritual world, emotions, moral principles, aesthetic tastes, promoting harmonious development of personality, Nemcha added.
She appreciated and lauded the Kuki Football Academy for organizing such a premier tournament for a successive five years.
The final match kicked off between Lalcha Memorial Team Saparmeina and Khongngam Memorial Team Ekou Mulam Saikul after inspection of players by dignitaries and explosion of firecrackers.
Sizzling anchor Lhingnunnem, Hesei, and prominent commentator Mang Taithul enthralled the mammoth audiences during the match.
Ten minutes into the game, KMT Ekou Mulam's Goulal broke the silence when he slotted home the opening goal before the equaliser for LMT Saparmeina came from an own goal from KMT's Thangbem in the 35th minute which ended the first half 1-1.
KMT had a brilliant comeback in the second half as Goulal volleyed home on his left foot from more than 25 yards in the 61st minutes before Seiminthang added another goal in the 68th minute to shatter the hope of last year runner up LMT Saparmeina to lift the champion trophy this time.
As KMT Ekou Mulam won the match 4-1, it lifted the 5th edition of KFA's Open Night Football Tournament champion trophy with a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh along with a champion medal while LMT Saparmeina had to contend with another runner up trophy with a cash prize of Rs.70,000/- and runner up medal.
Third place SMT Haipi and fourth place TASA were awarded trophies with cash prizes.
The star of the final night brilliant Goulal Singsit of KMT Ekou Mulam was declared Man of the final match while Lenminlal of LMT Saparmeina was declared Man of the tournament 2021.
KMT Ekou Mulam custodian Letthang Chongloi, LMT Saparmeina Defender Minlen Gangte, SMT Haipi's midfielder Thangmoi, LMT's striker Luntinmang, TSC(U-18)'s Sehgouthang and TASA's Lalkhanlen were declared best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder, best striker, hattrick and top scorer respectively.
Chaljang Lhouthang team was awarded the farthest participating team award of Rs.5000/- while South Changoubung Youth Club and LMT Chalwa Twilang area were awarded fans of the year 2021 and best team award of Rs.5000/- each respectively.
After the prize distribution, Sadar Hills District Sports Association President Chongpu Kipgen de-hoisted the flag to mark the end of the two month long tournament.
Kuki legendary footballer Kiran Khongsai, former ISL player Boithang Haokip, 22 AR Kangpokpi Post Commander Maj. Rahul, and many other civil society organizations leaders also attended the function.
