IKF Imphal Tournament under the aegis of All Manipur Football Association was conducted on 17th October 2021 at Lamphel Pat. Near about 140+ players actively participated in the tournament. Teams from various parts of Manipur district participated in the tournament. India Khelo Football a non-profitorganization that organizes Pan India under 14 tournaments to hunt talent at grassroot level. Top 5 to 6 players are selected at city level who will go to Kolkata for Zonals. Top 22 players will be selected who will go to Mumbai for Nationals where IKF’s international partners based out of UK will scout the top players to Europe for trials which will be free of cost.
The echo of energy and passion among the players could be felt among the valley. Tournament startedon 17/10/2021 in the morning by keeping the COVID-19 precautions in mind. The 9 a side tournament took near about 10 hours to finally find the winners of IKF Imphal. The finals were played between TYDA Football Academy and UTLWO FC where TYDA Football Academy emerged as the winning team. All the players of the winning team and runner up team were awarded with trophies by the chief guest, Mr. M.S.Shekhawat IGP Manipur and Nagaland Sector CRPF. All the other players received participation certificates for the exemplary performance. The title of Best Player was awarded toMonexKonthoujam from UTLWO and Highest Scorer was shared by K L Kabui and Suraj Wangkhem from TYDA. Best Goalkeeper was awarded to Louriyam Subash Singh.
“It’s a great initiative by IKF for the development of grassroot football and to hunt the talented players at city level.”, says one of the parents. “The talent in Imphal is absolutely amazing. The kids here have lots of potential and with the help of such tournaments we are able to harness the raw talent and provide a platform that they rightfully deserve.”, says PFSA Scout Paras Mehndiratta, Volunteer India Khelo Football. “Me and my team enjoyed playing India Khelo Football Tournament and I feel that it’s a great opportunity for anyone who wants to become professional footballer.” Says, Sanayaima Mayanglambam one of the participants.
The selected kids from will be representing Manipur at the zonal finals in Kolkata which will be held during the month of December.
India Khelo Football is a people-led movement in which football players and football enthusiasts from all over India have come together and formed India Khelo Football to develop football at the grass-root level. India Khelo Football (IKF) is a non-profit platform to provide kids from across India with a fair chance to pursue their dream of playing football internationally. IKF has a tagline which says ‘Aap Khelo, Mauka Ham Denge’, it conveys the message that, ‘You
give your best; we will give you the opportunity’. Hence, they are on a mission of creating a global platform for Indian boys (Under 14) to excel and live their dream of becoming a professional football player. IKF wants to make a concrete pathway that will be supported by the parents as well; so that their talent achieves the heights that he/she deserves.
The tournament was conducted in association with Transking Carrier Pvt. Ltd., M/S Shreya enterprise, Kiah, Laxmi Constructions and Developers, Classic Group of Hotels, Viva Football Magazine, Anant Computing, Daily Cutting, River Delta and Your Episode.