Ajit

IMPHAL, July 21: “Absence of experienced players in the team would not deter NISA in its fight for glory in the upcoming State league”, said Kh Ratan Singh whose coaching stint at the club has been extended for another season today at the Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai club ground.

Former international player and AFC ‘C’ Coach Kh Ratan had led the NISA team to become champions in last year’s State League.

Speaking to media persons during the unveiling of the team captain, coach and other office bearers of the state, Ratan said that the new team line-up comprises mostly of young players.

Out of the 33 players available in the team rooster, only eight players are experience, while the remaining others are all young and inexperienced players, he said.

However the team will fight it out till the last and would not surrender easily.

The team management announced T Ajitkumar Singh (jersey no 2) as the new team captain. He has been playing for the club since 2008.

NISA has remained champions in the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 editions of the state league.

Ajit has also remained the captain of the U-19 Manipur team in during 2006-07.

He has also represented the state team twice in the Dr T Ao football tournament and had also played the Santosh trophy.

Former president and present local MLA Kh Joykishan said he will continue working for development of the game in the state.

He said, no players can be successful without discipline and game spirit.

He further urged the players to be fair in their games.

NISA will play a friendly match with DMRAO tomorrow at Awang Sekmai as a pre-season warm-up match.