Ukhrul: 1st Phungsem Trophy 2022 concludes

The 1st edition of the Phungsem Trophy 2022 concluded on March 18 with Haokok FC lifting the Championship title.

The five-day long tournament held under the theme ‘Go for Goals’, was organised by Teinem Youth Club (TYC) at Teinem village under LM Block in western Ukhrul.

The closing ceremony of the tournament was attended by I.K Muivah, IPS, IGP (Admn) Manipur, as chief guest, while Dr. Yaronsho Ngalung, Caretaker Chairman ADC Ukhrul and former UADC member Khayinghor Valui were guest of honour and as special guest.

Speaking on the occasion, I.K Muivah underscored the need for promoting sports and encouraging youth to participate in sporting activities.

Lauding Teinem Youth Club for establishing the tournament, he said that there was an immense need for the society to tap young talents and nurture them by creating more such sporting platforms.

While expressing concern about substance abuse among the youth, Muivah urged the youngsters to abstain from drugs and encouraged them to divert their energy towards sporting activities.

He further exhorted the young and upcoming athletes to strive and look out for opportunities to pursue different sporting disciplines as a profession.

At the same time, he noted that while pursuing career in sports, youngsters should not be deprived of quality education.

In the final match of the tournament, Haokok FC defeated the host team Teinem Youth Club to win the much-coveted Phungsem Trophy 2022. Sirarakhong Youth Club (SYC) secured third position.

Man of the Tournament title went to Rungsing Muinao of Teinem Youth Club, while the Top Scorer of the Tournament was jointly received by Rungsing Muinao Teinem Youth Club and Shomi Rongui of Sirarakhong Youth Club.

Honreimung RS of Teinem Youth Club was adjudged the Best Defender of the Trophy while S. Leishipam of Teinem Youth Club the Best Goal Keeper of the Tournament.

Hero of the Final Match title went to Vareichan Hungshi of GK – Haokok FC and First Goal Scorer of the Final Match title to Zamthing Hungshi of Haokok FC.

Mahaimung Ramror of Kharao FC was declared the Youngest Player of the Tournament.

Ukhrul District Sports Association (UDSA) offered the service of the Referee for the tournament, while Romsing Vashi was the Match Commissioner.

The tournament was inaugurated by retired Engineer Wungpam Raikhan on March 14 last in the presence of Teinem Village chairman Yangsing Raleng who was the guest of honour.

According to an official Facebook page of Phungsem Trophy, the tournament was established in 2022, with an aim to provide platform for sports enthusiasts and youths to nurture and showcase their talents and skills. It aims to create an atmosphere of professionalism, impart the quality of sportsmanship and also to instill the importance of sports in day-to-day life.

It is learnt that the tournament is named after a historic mountain called Phungsem which is located at Teinem village. The mountain (1939 M), which is said to be the highest of all mountains in the village, serves as a special Prayer Mount, and a historic site with its scenic beauty and eco-tourism attraction.