Imphal, June 9 : The Manipur team will be a force to reckon with but may face tough competition from Tamil Nadu in the 47th Junior National Football Championship Dr BC Roy Trophy in Calcutta, said coach T. Ibomcha Singh at Mapal Kangjeibung today.
Manipur are a part of Cluster VI featuring Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Ibomcha said the boys had 20 days of extensive training, besides the routine exercises. He added that the championship was being held in the Under-17 format this year.
Manipur play their first match against Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. The coach said he had great confidence in the boys.
Team: N. Ingo Singh, M. Romesh, M. Ashok, T. Bipin, M. Anilkumar, O. Surjit, Md Sohail, Y. Jacky, Y. Jetlee, K. Rocky, H. Dayananda, N. Sushil, Kh. Bishwajit, K. Kiran, Barjohn Thanglalawm, G. Golmei Kabui, Ksh. Satish and K. Naobi Singh. Manager: O. Guneshwar Meitei.
Santosh Trophy
Altogether 29 players will represent Manipur in the 64th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy in Calcutta.
Goalkeepers: S. Narakanta, S. Basanta, N. Thoi, L. Premkumar, Kh. Deben. Defenders: H. Devan, W. Ngouba, Th. Surjit, Y. Hemanta, T. Ajitkumar, K. Regan, L. Ratan, Suresh Rai, K. Priyokumar. Midfielders: L. Ibotomba, Ksh. Kanta, L. Nabachandra, L. Gouro, Md Sahidur Rehman, E. Abocha, Th. Itomba, L. Dewan, M. Bidyasagar, W. Denial. Forwards: I. Nilakumar, N. Jimmy, Kh. Naoton, Ksh. Malemnganba and L. Herojit. Coach: L. Nandakumar.
FIFA book: AMFA president A. Santoshkumar Singh released a 200-page compilation on the 2010 FIFA World Cup by Jadavchandra Haobam, a AIFF referee instructor, at the All Manipur Sports Association hall today.
The book features World Cup history and India’s default qualification in the 1950 Brazil World Cup.