Imphal, March 28: Sunil Chhetri led Team India on Tuesday emerged as the champion of the Hero Tri-nation international football tournament after beating Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) in the third and final match of the tournament in Imphal. Organised by All India Football Federation (AIFF), the six-day long tournament held at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is the first international soccer event hosted by Manipur.
Goals from Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri earned India the Tri-Nation trophy with a 2-0 win over the Kyrgyzstan. India had previously defeated Myanmar by 1-0 during the opening match of the tournament.
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Governor of Manipur Sushri Anusuiya Uikey graced the closing ceremony of the tournament with football crazy fans from across the state packed the stadium and witnessed the spectacular final match.
According to official report, a total of 29,877 people turned up for the final match.
During the closing ceremony, in a historic Manipur government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for logistics and other supports to set up football academy in the state. The deal was sealed in the presence of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.
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“I am delighted to announce that an MoU has been signed between the Government of Manipur and All India Football Federation to set up a center of excellence for football,” CM Biren Singh tweeted.
Similarly, AIFF also tweeted “The honourable Manipur Chief Minister Shri @n_biren_singh and AIFF President Mr @kalyanchaubey signed an MoU to work jointly for the overall development of football in Manipur and set up a centre of excellence for producing elite players.”
The honourable Governor of Manipur, Sushri Anusuiya Uikey was present, it added.
During the presentation ceremony, Governor Uikey handed over the winning trophy to the Captain of Team India, Sunil Chhetri. She along with chief minister N Biren Singh gave away medals to the players. Referees, officials of Youth Affairs & Sports and All India Football Federation were also felicitated in the presentation ceremony.
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