Achievers felicitated as Manipur Cricket Association hosts first award function

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 31 : Achievers and top performers in various categories and promoters of Cricket in the State were honoured as Manipur Cricket Association (MNCA) hosted the 1st MNCA Awards 2023-24 today at the auditorium of the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound.
Sagolband AC MLA and former MNCA president, RK Imo; Director YAS, T Phulen; Director Education (S), L Nandakumar; MNCA president Ningthoujam Zico; honorary vice president, Lairenjam Geetranjan; honorary  secretary, Leishangthem Ronel; honorary treasurer, Chongtham Nishikanta;  honorary joint secretary Syed Sultan Ahmed, were among others who attended the award function as dignitaries.
Speaking at the occasion, RK Imo highlighted the rapid growth of the Cricketing movement in the State in a short span of time.
Recalling the historic moments of Manipur's entry into the Elite Group and U-16 elite group in recent years, he also expressed happiness that the State cricketers will now be able to practice round the year in indoor facilities from early part of 2025.
Announcing that the State may witness a stadium of the Association very soon, RK Imo also maintained that search for a right location for construction of a stadium near Loktak lake  is underway in consultation with the State's Youth Affairs and Sports Department.
Director Education (S), L Nandakumar also hinted for a school level cricket tournament in association with the Manipur Cricket Association at the occasion.
YAS Director T Phullen in the meantime highlighted the construction and installation work undertaken at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium. He also said that the stadium has been leased out to Manipur Cricket Association and process is underway to extend the lease to 20 years.
He also stated that Cricket has become a career option and a boon to academically average and poor youth who have hopes in games and sports.
As a part of the award function, many personalities and cricketers who scripted many achievements in the recent years were honoured and encouraged with different awards. In honour of the immense contributions in the State's cricketing movement in different capacities, three personalities- Sougaijam Satyabrata; Wahengbam Bhaktaraj and Chongtham Chaoba were conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Special awards were also extended to RK Rex, first State player to make it to the India's U-19 squad; Waikhom Ganga, first woman player to make it to India-A team; Bishwajit Kongthoujam, first player to collect 100 wickets in BCCI's 1st Class Tournaments; and Kangabam Priyojit, first players to amass 1000 runs in BCCI's 1st Class Tournaments.
Niruta Thoudam of THAU and Pheiroijam Jotin of PTRC  were feted with the players of the year as Pheiroijam Rohindro, coach of PTRC and PTCC, was feted with coach of the year 2023-24.
Ngariyambam Milan and Athokpam Himat Singh were also honoured with the Umpire and Referee of the Year awards. Ranji players in the recent years and highest run scorers, highest wicket takers and best wicket keepers in different age categories for boys and girls for the season 2023-24 were also feted at the occasion.