MNCA fetes meritorious players, contributors, personalities on award day

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 12 : The Manipur Cricket Association (MNCA) today honoured meritorious players of all age groups for the season 2024-25, major contributors and other key personalities during an award function recognizing their outstanding contributions and achievements today at City Convention Centre.
RK Imo, MLA, Sagolband AC and former president of MNCA; Syed Sultan Ahmed, joint secretary, MNCA; Chongtham Nishikanta, treasurer, MNCA; Leishangthem Ronel, secretary, MNCA and Lairenjam Geetranjan, vice president, MNCA attended the event as dignitaries who led in felicitating the players and honouring three personalities including Padmashree Thounaojam Chaoba, retired Col Soram Tekendrajit and Ngangbam Ibohal with Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award function began with RK Imo encouraging outstanding players in the U-14 boys, U-15 girls and U-16 boys’ categories.
U-14 boys’ highest run scorer- Chingamba Elangbam of AKSDO, Khangabok; highest wicket taker - Khutheibam Abu Sufiyan  of KSDO, Kiyamgei and best wicket keeper - Sahed Ahmed of RCA, Lilong; U-15 girls’ highest run scorer - Robeni Usham of THAU, Thangmeiband; highest wicket taker - Konjengbam Nonibala of THAU and best wicket keeper - Robeni Usham of THAU;  U-16 boys’ highest run scorerand highest wicket taker - Mutum Swabhiman of TRAU, Kwakeithel; and best wicket keeper - Sanathoi Sanjenbam of RULE, Meitram were among the players who were feted by RK Imo.
Syed Sultan Ahmed meanwhile feted outstanding players in the U-19 and U-23 categories.
Kebriya Devi of SHADOW, Thangmeiband; Rahmatun Khanam of FORCE, Kshetrigao and Taniya Ningthoujam of AKSDO who emerged highest run scorer, highest wicket taker and best wicket keeper in the U-19 women’s section; Naesh Hussain of RCA, Thokchom Lucky of PCC, Mayaikoibi; Ningthoujam Sidarth Mangang of CYCLONE who emerged highest run scorer, highest wicket taker and best wicket keeper in the U-19 men’s section; Kebriya Devi Sapam of SHADOW, Priyanshee Hanglem of  SHADOW, and Viviene Laishram of SHADOW who emerged highest run scorer, highest wicket taker and best wicket keeper in the U-23 women’s section; and Ulenyai Khwairakpam of SCCC, Singjamei Thongam Leikai; Zamir Khan of RCA and Sagolshem Ronal Meitei of ESU, Wangkhei who emerged highest run scorer, highest wicket taker and best wicket keeper in the U-23 men’s section were the players feted by Syed Sultan Ahmed.
Senior Women’s highest run scorer- K Kalpana of THAU, highest wicket taker - Sijapriyari Hijam of PTCC, Patsoi and best wicket keeper - K Kalpana of THAU; Senior Men’s highest run scorer - Priyojit Kangabam of TRAU, highest wicket taker L Kishan of CYCLONE and best wicket keeper - Leikhram Johny of CHAMP, Khagem-palli were meanwhile feted by Ch Nishikanta.
Chongtham Nishikanta also feted emerging players  in the U 14 Boy's Category - Sahid Khullakpam of AMCA, Moijing; U 15 Girl's Category- Lucyrani Khundrakpam of AKSDO;  Best Players of the Year - Kishan Laishram of CYCLONE and Kalpana Keisham of THAU.
L Ronel in the meantime feted 8 personalities and teams in the "Best of the Year (Support Staff/Venue/Club) Category" including Trainer of the Year - Toijam Bikenson; Physio of the Year - Maibam Pinky; Umpire of the Year- Oinam Gulshananda; Match Referee of the Year - Ngasepam Amuba; Best Venue of the Year - Moijing Public Ground; Best Coach of the Year - Elangbam Rashikumar; Club of the Year - AKSDO; President Award For Fair Play/Best Discipline Team - MPA, Thounaojam.
He also handed special category awards to Bishworjit Konthoujam who is the first cricketer from the State to play for an English club (Tynemouth Cricket Club) besides  Yumnam Karnajit, Ajay Lamabam, and  Pheiroijam Jotin who made it to the  Duleep Trophy North East Zone team with Bishworjit.
Outstanding contributors including umpire, former umpire were in the meantime feted by Lairenjam Geetranjan
Folk songs, Chakpa dance, Dhol cholom, acrobotic shows amidst the event enthralled the attendees.