Thoubal, Dec 25 : As part of the publicity drive for the upcoming 4th edition of the Maipaikpi Memorial Football Trophy 2026, a 10-kilometre road run was successfully organised on Thursday.
The road run was flagged off from the Wangjing Kodompokpi Sports Complex area by Smt Thokchom Ongbi Bijya Luxmi Devi, wife of Heirok Assembly Constituency MLA Dr Thokchom Radheshyam.
The event was conducted in three categories. In today’s run, the oldest participant was 71-year-old Nahakpam Sanatomba from Ayangpalli, Ningthem Pukhri (Imphal East), while the youngest participant was 10-year-old Nongpok Nganba from Laphupat Tera. A total of more than 100 runners took part in the run.
The 10-km route passed through Wangjing Keithel, Wangbal and Khangabok, and returned from the Thoubal Athokpam DC Office gate to the flagged-off area, which served as the finishing point.
Speaking on the occasion, Tonjam Romen Meitei, a member of the Maipaikpi Memorial Football Trophy organising team, said the road run was organised to create awareness and encourage public participation ahead of the Maipaikpi Memorial Football Trophy 2026. He added that the initiative also aims to promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles among youth, while spreading awareness on drug abuse and social issues affecting society.
Oldest runner Nahakpam Sanatomba (71) expressed happiness over the event and said he decided to participate after learning about the run through social media, particularly Facebook. He further stated that he also plans to take part as a veteran runner in the national event scheduled on January 26, and considered today’s run as a practice event.
Later, winners of the race were felicitated with prizes and certificates. In the Open Category, Md Abdul Rajak secured first position, while Md Rahish Khan and Kh Atomjit Singh secured second and third positions respectively. Consolation prizes were also awarded to seven runners.
In the 40+ Category, Md Imtiyaj Rahman, Md Gyasudin and H. Subashchandra secured first, second and third positions respectively.
In the 50+ (Veteran) Category, N. Sanatomba secured first position and S. Thoiba secured second position.
The event was attended by Smt Thokchom Ongbi Bijya Luxmi Devi as Chief Guest, while Chingakham Sunita Devi, Assistant Teacher, Little Flower School, and M. Manglem Singh, social worker, attended as President and Guest of Honour respectively.
The organisers thanked all participants and volunteers for making the event a success.
