FC Raengdai win 16th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football tournament title

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 23 : FC Raengdai were crowned the champions of the 6th Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial State Open Football Tournament 2025–26 hosted by the 86 Bn CRPF under the aegis of the IG M&N Sector, CRPF here at the Artificial Turf Ground, SAI Sports Complex, Takyel.
The tournament is held annually since 2010 in revered memory of Shaheed Manoranjan Singh, Assistant Commandant, CRPF, a valiant son of Yurembam Makha Leikai, Manipur, who laid down his life in 2009 while fighting Naxalites in Chhattisgarh.
The tournament was conducted in close coordination with the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) from February 6 and featured 16 leading football teams from across Manipur who competed on a knockout basis, showcasing exemplary skill, discipline and sportsmanship.
The final match and the valedictory function of the tournament was graced by Rajendra Narayan Dash, IPS, IG Manipur & Nagaland Sector, CRPF as chief guest.
Senior officers of CRPF, Manipur Police, representatives from SAI, AMFA, Classic  group of Hotel, Likla, SBI, HDFC Life Shaurya, Wahong Radio, Diamond TV and other civil dignitaries also attended the event underscoring the event’s stature as both a premier sporting spectacle and a solemn tribute to a National hero.
 Garlanding the photograph of Martyr Ng Manoranjan Singh and other Martyrs who sacrificed for the Nation, the dignitaries and spectators present in the sports complex paid a solemn tribute to all the heroes by observing 2-minute silence.
In the intense grand finale, former Premier League (AMFA organised) champions FC Raengdai, Noney defeated reigning Premier League champions SSU, Singjamei by 2-1 goals to deservingly lift the title trophy.
 FC Raengdai took the lead in the 37th minute through  Gilalung Gonmei before L Bikramjit Singh converted a penalty two minutes into the added time of the first half to double the advantage.
SSU fought back strongly in the second half and reduced the margin by one goal courtesy of K Monex’s 73rd minute strike. SSU further intensified their effort to close the gap in the remainder of the game but were met with stiff resistance from the defenders of FC Raengdai.
Eventually FC Raengdai walked away with the title trophy. FC Raengdai’s Wahengbam Rojen and Y Suraj were also named man of the final match and the best goalkeeper of the tournament respectively while Md Sahir Ali (4 goals) and N Sushil Kumar of SSU were respectively named highest goal scorer and best player of the tournament.
Special prizes were also distributed to 10 prominent players for their outstanding performances during the tournament.
The closing ceremony witnessed an overwhelming turnout of martyrs’ families, CRPF families, football enthusiasts and members of the general public transforming the occasion into a memorable tribute to sport, sacrifice and solidarity, said a press release issued by the 86 Bn CRPF.