Chandel: The first district level basic hockey training for girls was organised by Chandel District Hockey Association (CDHA) in collaboration with Manipur Hockey at Maha Union Government Hr. Sec. School ground Japhou, Chandel on Wednesday.
The opening ceremony program was graced by President, Hockey India, Gyanendro Ningombam as special guest. He was accompanied by former Olympian and member of Manipur hockey Ksh. Thoiba Singh, CEO Manipur hockey, Basanta, Manipur hockey asst. secy. Shanta Kumar, Technical Director, Bala Singh, ex-member, Bandhan, Coach, NIS, Nepolean as a special visiting team.
The program was also attended by commandant 18 AR Chandel, Col. Ajit Khatri, Ex- ADC member Chandel, Sh. Manglem Monsang, President District Sports Association (DSA) Chandel, Ts. Chamna Anal, Chief of Modi village Kl. John Anal, Pastor Japhou Baptist Church, Sh. Shrimon and Rev. Js. Shemwar Anal as special invitees. Ts. Newry Anal, asst general secy, CDHA moderated the program.
President, Chandel District Hockey Association (CDHA) Ng. Gilbert Monsang in his welcome and introductory speech appreciated and welcome President, Hockey India, Gyanendro and team for their kind and goodwill visit to Chandel to encourage the newly form hockey association of the district and the initiative they are currently undertaking to hunt young potential and talented hockey players from Chandel district. Gilbert also acknowledged and thank the special invitees for making their presence felt on such important occasion. He expressed his gratitude to all the respective club leaders and the young participating trainees for their enthusiastic and overwhelming response during short time. Hockey has a huge potential scope among the hill districts given the physical stature and strong stamina we inherit and possess unlike football where height is advantageous. He felt happy that hockey is introduced for the first time in Chandel and such opportunity should be availed by young girls and boys to craft their talent, skill and represent the district at the state, national and international level one day.
How the hockey association was formed in Chandel was briefly mentioned in his speech. His personal rapport with the President Gyanendro also helped in the early formative stage. Through the support and cooperation of DSA, Chandel, the CDHA came into being in 2021. The primary objective of the current training program is to give basic training and give exposure of our Chandel young girls to represent the district in the upcoming inter-district hockey tournament to be held in the month of November in Imphal.
President, Hockey India, Gyanendro Ningombam speaking on the occasion strongly emphasized the values of dedication and discipline as important hallmarks of success in sports. The three main hurdles to achieve the pinnacle of success are at the district level, state level and national level. If one can overcome these three levels of hurdles, success is bound to come. He appreciated the CDHA for their relentless efforts and taking such initiative at the grassroot level to promote hockey, the national game of India. He congratulated the newly form CDHA as the most active and vibrant hockey association among the hill districts of Manipur in 2021 and Jiribam among the valley districts,he added. He also express his gratitude to Modi village for donating land for the construction of 5 A Side Hockey Turf Ground. Gyanendro and his visiting team handed hockey kits including sticks, gloves, ball etc to CDHA executive officials.
Former Olympian Thoiba Singh, in his short encouraging speech mentioned that one has to choose sports career wisely taking into consideration height, structure, stamina and interest of the game by an individual. Comparatively, hockey is less expansive than football and 5 A Side Turf ground is ideal for practice session for any major competitive tournament.
President DSA, Chandel Ts. Chamna Anal expressed his profound gratitude for the wonderful support the CDHA is receiving whereby more than 60 young girls have enrolled for the training session. He mentioned that Chandel is poor in infrastructure cutting across different discipline of sports.The arrival of hockey through the initiative of Ng. Gilbert Monsang is a welcomed note and quite challenging at the same time. It is welcomed because hockey is completely new to Chandel. Challenging because the responsibility is enormous and who will shoulder such responsibility these days, he noted. The first committee is selected purely on voluntary basis after introducing the post through various social medias likeWwhatsapp, Facebook, DSA Chandel circulation etc. He applauded the President, India Hockey and his team for their generous support and help and seek for future cooperation and collaboration. He also expressed his thanks to Modi village for donating land for the future of hockey in Chandel. And appeal to the village authority to maintain the hockey turf ground nicely and properly as it’s own asset when it is completed and finished in future. May it not be liked another Mini-Sports Complex of the district which is in shabby and unusable condition at the moment due to unfinished work. Taking the opportunity, he appeal the concern authorities to look into the matter more seriously for early completion of the work as well.
Ex-ADC member, Sh. Manglem in his given short speech welcome the introduction of hockey in Chandel. It’s a great moment for Chandel as a sports lover. The arrival of hockey is a happy moment for Chandel citizens, he added. He appealed on behalf of players and Chandel to take up the work for 5 A Side Hockey Turf Ground in Modi village and be completed soon. He also mentioned that ‘Reviving DC Trophy’ is also a welcome note and appreciate the current DC for understanding and supporting the tournament. He encouraged the participating young girls to have ‘consistency and perseverance’ and to keep this spirit very intact in their quest for success.
Nl. Wellpelngam Anal, Vice President, CDHA in his vote of thanks appreciated all the special guests and dignitaries for their love, support and cooperation towards the success of the program. He also express gratitude on behalf of CDHA to all the generous donors for their contribution towards the success of the training session initiated under CDHA. “Special thanks to Thoiba Singh for sharing his testimonial success stories. May it inspired the young girl trainees of the district. Thanks to media person and MUGHSS heads and staff for providing the space to organize the event”, he concluded.
About The Author
