Kamjong: The 2nd Kamjong District League organised by Kamjong District Football Association (KDFA) sponsored by Alchemy Bizsoft concluded on the September 12, having kicked off on the September 1 with Renedy Singh, former Indian national team captain and Pooja Elangbam, IAS, SDO Porompat gracing the opening ceremony as the chief guest and the guest of honour. The second edition of the Kamjong District League saw the participation of eight football teams with newly formed club NERAU (North East Regional Athletic Union) from Shingkap, Kamjong clinching the title for their first ever district league title.
Local MLA, Leishiyo Keishing, MLA 43 – Phungyar (ST) Assembly Constituency graced the closing ceremony of the league as the chief guest while the president of All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) attended the event as the guest of honour.
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The final match played between NERAU and Oriental Club saw a quick start to the game with Ragui Shimrah of NERAU giving his team the lead in the first minute of the match. Oriental Club rallied back strong but their hopes of a comeback were quashed five minutes before half time when NERAU scored two quick fire goals through Semi Mayon (41 minutes) and Worrin (44 minutes) to take a massive 3-0 lead into half time.
The second half saw more domination from NERAU with Ragui getting in on the act once again to score his second just two minutes before the hour mark. Oriental Club pulled one back in the 68th minute, courtesy of a strike from Shingrei but the goal would only be a consolation as NERAU cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory to seal their first major title.
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The champions boasted a tournament high 12 goal score in five matches averaging 2.4 goals per game as striker, Ragui Shimrah walked away with the top scorer award. NERAU’s solidity at the back which saw them concede just one goal in five matches also earned their goalkeeper Mikyen Shimrang the Best Goalkeeper title, while defender Ngoru Semi Mayon was adjusted the Best Defender. The individual accolades for the championship team didn’t end there as their talismanic midfielder Shirinmi Kazingmei walked away with the Player of the Tournament Award. Erstwhile, Angelus Mashangva of Oriental Club was awarded the Best Midfielder title of the district league.
NERAU will now represent Kamjong District in the upcoming 26th Winners Cup while Oriental will represent Kamjong District in the CC Meet tournament, both tournaments organised by the All Manipur Football Association.
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