MSF, KSA play out 1–1 draw as 8th Manipur Players’ Day Invitational Football Championship begins

The observance of Manipur Players’ Day commenced with the opening match of the 8th Manipur Players’ Day Invitational Football Championship 2026 ending in a 1–1 draw between the Manipuri Students’ Federation and the Kangleipak Students’ Association.
The match, hosted by the Manipuri Students’ Federation, was played at the Football Ground of Manipur University, Canchipur. Both teams remained goalless in the first half. In the second half, each side netted one goal, bringing the full-time score to 1–1. The match was conducted in two halves of 25 minutes each during the morning session.
The championship is being organised under the aegis of the Manipuri Students’ Federation with participation from six major student organisations, including the All Manipur Students’ Union, Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur, Kangleipak Students’ Association, Students’ Union of Kangleipak and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup.
The second round of matches is scheduled for February 22, featuring AIMS (Team A) against AMSU (Team B) in Group B and MSF (Team A) against DESAM (Team B) in Group A. The final match will be played on February 25 at the University Football Ground, Canchipur, which is also observed by MSF as Sanaroishinggi Numit.
Manipur Players’ Day was officially declared on February 25, 1999, by the then Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha following Manipur’s outstanding performance at the Vth National Games held in Imphal, where the state secured 112 medals, including 49 gold, 24 silver and 39 bronze, and clinched the Overall Team Champion title along with the Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy.