Imphal, November 19: The public meeting convened at Bhagyachandra Open Air theatre today to deliberate on course of action to denounce lackluster conduct of match officials in the Manipur versus Goa quarter final clash on November 17 resolved to take out a protest rally on November 21.The rally with Khuman Lampak Main Stadium as the starting point will begin from 10 am and snake through Dingko road, DM Road, North AOC, Minuthong till BOAT where a public meeting will also be held.

Expressing strong resentment on inefficiency of the match referee resulting in exit of Manipur from the ongoing Air India Express National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at Kerala the public meeting attended by representatives of many civil organisation and sports personalities, including AMFA officials also decided to apprise the matter to Indian leaders and international football bodies.

Terming the questionable conduct of the match referee as another manifestation of suppressing talented sportspersons from tiny States in general and Manipur in particular, the massive congregation resolved to apprise the Prime Minister, Union Sports Minister as well as AIFF, AFC and FIFA on the issue.

Chief minister O Ibobi Singh and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam would also be intimated to highlight the matter to relevant authorities and ensure that justice is not denied to the State public and the players as well.

Strongly condemning failure of Indian sports authorities to check rampant exploitation of sports persons produced by Manipur, the gathering pledged to take all possible measures in order to ensure Manipuri players do not feel ignored under any circumstances.

Fervent appeals were also made to NGOs, civil societies, students� bodies and members of the public to extend cooperation and participate in the proposed protest rally on November 21.The meeting held under the theme �Exploitation of Manipur sports� was presided by Sports Movement Committee convenor RK Ranendrajit.

Time has come for the State masses to understand discriminatory attitude of mainland India towards Manipur and to exhibit in a unified manner that people of this State despite its miniature size would never tolerate injustice, said Ranendrajit.

He also asserted that even if the tournament organisers and AIFF authorities cites mistake committed by the centre referee, tenders apology and action is initiated against him (referee) such lame excuses should not be endorsed.

Ranendrajit also desired that Asian Football Confederation�s Vision India Project be shelved in Manipur to protest deprivation and discrimination even in sports arena.

AMFA general secretary L Ranjit Roy referring to referee�s naivety about FIFA prescribed rules said such unprofessional conduct costing Manipur the match is shocking and beyond any comprehensible ethics.

Besides burning effigies of AIFF President PR Das Munshi and match referee Shaji C Kurien the meeting participants also raised slogans against the tournament organisers and at the same time hailing the players' efforts to bring glory to the State.

Sports coaches, officials and athletes numbering over 1500 staged sit-in-protest at Khuman Lampak sports complex today.

The protestors also set on fire effigies of AIFF secretary and match referee in the Manipur versus Goa clash.

Highlighting that sports rules throughout the world have no room for discrimination against any competitor/team, the protestors who are currently undergoing training in various disciplines raised slogans denouncing the referee�s misconduct, attempt to suppress sports movement in Manipur etc.

Meanwhile, State unit BJP president Th Chaoba singh, who is also a former union Sports Minister denouncing the referee�s unprofessional conduct opined that the issue be contested either at High Court or Supreme Court.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Chaoba informed of highlighting the matter to national leaders of the party tomorrow and intimation to PR Das Munshi.

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