IMPHAL December 12: 10 Assam Rifles under the aegis of Loktak brigade of Red Shield Division organized the Winter Cup 2011 at Nonei in conjunction with the Zeliangrong Union. This edition of Winter Cup, which is conducted every year during December at Nonei, is special as for the first time teams from far off places have been invited to participate in the tournament, an AR release states.
The finals was played between Longmai Youth Football Club and 10 Assam Rifles football team yesterday. The teams that reached the finals had tough competition from other teams in the knock out phase. Dignitaries both of civil organization and 10 Assam Rifles were present for the grand event.
The chief guest for the event was Commandant of 10 Assam Rifles, Colonel Ajay Sharma. A total of 2000 persons had congregated in the Longmai common ground for the final.
The match was evenly contested with both teams getting a fair chance at the goal. It was only by the 30th min of the first half that the deadlock could be broken by 10 Assam Rifles. This was the score till half time after which both the teams came back with extra zeal to score goals and win their match. 10 Assam Rifles again scored a goal in the 65th min and 80th min of the match to seal the win and become the winners of WINTER CUP 2011. The winning team 10 Assam Rifles got Rs 50,000 in prize money, the runner up team got Rs 20,000 and the semi finalists got Rs 5,000 as cash prize. Apart from these prizes best player, best goalkeeper and fair play award for the competition was also given.
The tournament was a great success and helped encourage sports in this area and to foster a bond within the people of Manipur through such events, this initiative was taken by 10 Assam Rifles. Zaliangrong Union and the Longmai Youth club also assisted 10 Assam Rifles in organizing the event.