36th National Games Samim Banu Khulakpam enters boxing quarters

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 6 : Manipur's Samim Banu Khulakpam entered boxing quarterfinals at the 36th National Games being underway at Gujarat.
Even as Manipur drew blank today, Samim Banu raised the medal hopes by securing a quarterfinal berth in the women's featherweight competition as she overwhelmed Jyoti of Dehli 5-0 today at Mahatma Mandir.
Samim Banu will meet Poonam of Haryana for a place in the semifinal on October 10.
Notably, Samim Banu is the third boxer from the State to have entered quarterfinals after Konthoujam Parvish Chanu (women's lightweight) and Myson Moirangthem (men's lightweight).
Konthoujam Parvish will face off against Poonam Ramnarayan Kaithwas in the quarter final on October 9 while Myson will meet Ritik of Delhi on October 9.
Men's football team bow out
Manipur men's football campaign came to a crashing end today after losing 2-3 at the hands of Kerala in the penultimate Group A league match at Transtadia Football Ground despite Khaigunhao Joel Haokip's brace.
While the women's team have secured semifinal berth with three of three league stage victories, men's team ended the campaign winless having settled the opening game against Services Sports Control Board in a 1-1 draw and suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat in the hands of Odisha in the previous match.
Manipur enjoyed a slender 1-0 first half lead with Khaigunhao Joel Haokip finding the breakthrough in the 35th minute and raced to a 2-0 lead after 56 minutes as Khaigunhao Joel was at the target yet again.
Things, however turned around as Kerala rallied back and pulled level courtesy a brace from Nijo Gilbert (64', 80') before PV Vishnu hit the winner at the stroke of the 90th minute mark.