The players have been held back by the All India Football Federation for preparation of the under-20 national team in Shillong from September 12 to 4 October. The trio had been already requisitioned by the All Manipur Football Association to represent the state but an intimation from the AIFF said the players would not be released on account of the camp.
Manipur has been clubbed in Cluster V of the Santosh Trophy and will face Himachal Pradesh on September 22, Andhra Pradesh on September 24 and Chattisgarh on September 26. The pre-quarters stage will kick off on September 29.
Ch. Santikumar Singh, AFC ‘A’ Licence holder, is the chief coach while AFC ‘C’ licence holder S. Premkanta Singh will assist him. The Manipur team will leave for Haryana on September 17.
M. Bijen Singh, who is playing for Mohamedan Sporting Club, Kolkata, has been requisitioned to fill the slot along with three other strikers in the team, following a decision of the AMFA technical committee. Players like James, Tomba and Manitomba, who have sustained injuries in earlier matches, will also be absent from this edition. Their absence can cause a hassle or two in the Manipur team’s midfield and defence.
“We have just finished our physical conditioning camp at the Khuman Lampak sports complex yesterday and I am hopeful that the boys will do well. Till the preliminary stage there will be not much of a challenge,” the Manipur chief coach said.
The final list: Lalit Thapa, S. Nara-kanta Singh (goalkeepers) I. Sur-kumar Singh, N. Shyamanda Sin-gh, Y. Raju Singh, Syed Farid, Benjamin Kamson, H. Deban Singh, Y. Priyo Singh (defender), Th. Bungo Singh, P. Renedy Singh, Ch. Chitrasen Singh, M. Gouramangi Singh, S. Manglemjao Singh, S. Manimohan Singh, Ninja Kabui (midfielder), M. Bijen Singh, K. Samson Singh, T. Narendra Singh and Luminlal Khongsai (striker).
