Manipur Hockey drubbed Kerala Hockey by 9-0 goals in the opening match of the 12th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women National Championship 2022 which was played under floodlights at Hockey Stadium, Khuman Lampak on Wednesday.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended the inaugural function and lauded the initiative of Hockey India for awarding the Championship to Manipur, to groom and nurture more young talent in quest for the Olympic Gold.
He added that it is very much necessary to develop talent from a tender age and appreciated the move of Hockey India for providing such an opportunity, to catch young talent. “It is of great privilege to host such a championship and we hope to extend our hospitality to the maximum for a successful tournament,” he said.
He further said, holding such a tournament will help encourage and give the needed thrust towards Hockey. He reminded that Manipur has produced 17 olympians in various disciplines and we hope to see more bust of sportspersons in the olympian Park. He was of the hope that developing Olympian Park will encourage more sportspersons in quest of olympic dream.
“The floodlights had been installed in the last few years of his government and we will see that more National level tournaments are awarded to us,” he said.
“The Main Stadium has seen a lot of flood light activity including I-League matches and now we have Sub-Junior Women National Hockey as the astro turf. Priority will be given to its maintenance and to ensure that Khuman Lampak Sports Complex has a clean look,” he added.
He also divulged that an expert team will be coming on Thursday to inspect the Main Stadium Khuman Lampak to increase the seating capacity as well to cater to improving the playing field.
He also assured to develop more playing fields or mini stadiums in remote villages to encourage more sportspersons in addition to the already existing stadiums in District Headquarters. Funds toward this endeavour have been secured from MOBC, he said.
YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam and Commissioner YAS, SS Chhabra, IFoS also attended the function. Cultural programmes were also held on the occasion. Thokchom Linthoingambi Chanu also took the oath on behalf of the players.
The opening match featuring host Manipur against Kerala proved to be a one sided affair as Manipur struck in every quarter of the match but affected more goals in second and third quarter, scoring three goals each.
For Manipur, Tanu Shorenshangbam scored three goals while Kangabam Sharmila Devi fetched two goals and Laishram Ritu Devi, Daina Ningombam Devi, Keisham Eleena Devi, Thokchom Dainali Devi getting one goal each for the victory.
