KLASA FC

KLASA FC, or simply KLASA, is a professional football club based in Keinou, Bishnupur, in the Indian state of Manipur. It was the 2022 season champion of Manipur State League, but not granted the I-League 2 nomination. However, they joined the newly-established I-League 3.[1][2]

KLASA FC
Full nameKeinou Library and Sports Association Football Club
Founded1972 (1972)
GroundJawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Imphal
Capacity30,000
OwnerKLASA Pvt Ltd
Head coachY. Norton Singh
LeagueManipur State League
I-League 3

History

Beginning

The Keinou Library and Sports Association, known as KLASA FC at the present day, was registered in 1972. KLASA aimed to look for development in the library and sports field in Keinou and adjoining areas. One of the pioneer personalities of KLASA was Chanambam Prakash Singh, a player of Indian Air Force. Whenever he was on leave, he started conducting training at Keinou Kangjeibung, which is now popularly known as KLASA FC's home ground. A full team was formed, and after rigorous training, KLASA emerged as district champion in the consecutive years of 1976, 1977, and 1978. KLASA also claimed victories among the champions of various districts that participated; thus, the club's popularity increased yearly.

Manipur State League

KLASA FC first got promoted to Manipur State League, the top tier league of Manipur, in 2014.

2017-18 Season

In the 2017-18 season, KLASA FC staged a league upset by finishing at the top of the table after the league round beating strong teams like I-League side NEROCA FC, Sagolband United, etc. However, in the play-offs, they lost to NEROCA FC in the final and end up being the runners-up.

2021-22 Season

MSL came back after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2021-22 season. KLASA FC finished the league toppers and qualified for the final stage. KLASA beat Sagolband United 2-1 in the semi-final and entered the final. KLASA FC emerged as champions after defeating SSU 1-0 in the final match and itched in its history by grabbing the title of the cahampios of Manipur for the first time.

2022-23 Season

In the 15th edition of the Manipur State League, KLASA FC finished second in the group stage and advanced into the final stage. In semi-final match, KLASA FC faced KIYC and entered the final after beating them comfortably. KLASA FC defeated RAU 3-0 in the final match and become the consecutive champions of Manipur.

I-League 2nd Division

After winning the 2022-23 Manipur State League, KLASA qualified for the I-League 2nd Division.[3]But instead of nominating them as per the AIFF regulations, the state association, AMFA nominated another team instead. After a series of appeal by the club and protests from the state football lovers against the unfair treatment by the state association to its league champions, no team from Manipur was allowed to play in the I League 2nd division the dismay of the football loving people of the state.

I-League 3rd Division

KLASA FC's dream of playing in the national stage finally started to take shape after they got qualified in the inaugural I-League 3rd Division.

Honours

Domestic league

Domestic cups
  • Shirui Lily Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 2022[6]
  • K. Shantibala (AJSA) Football Tournament
    • Winners (3): 1997–98, 2003–04, 2009–10[7]
  • Jiri Cup
    • Winners (2): 2015–16,[8] 2017–18[9]

See also

References
  1. "KLASA FC Keinou fetes Huidrom Sunita". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  2. "63rd CC MeetKLASA FC confirm semi-final berth, Serto Worneilen stars as CFA win 7-goal thriller". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  3. "KLASA FC Keinou emerge champion of MSL". Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. "The Away End: Manipur-State-League-2021-Final-KLASA-FC-vs-SSU". www.google.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  5. "Final Match of 14th Manipur State League 2021 at Artificial Turf Ground, Khuman Lampak, Imphal :: 3rd February 2022 ~ Pictures from Manipur". www.e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  6. "Shillong Lajong FC emerge champs of 29th Shirui Lily Cup". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  7. "Klasa script win in AJSA Cup: 18th jan09 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  8. "KLASA lifts Jiri Cup : 10th feb15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  9. "12th Jiri Cup KLASA blank RAU 3-0 to reach final: 14th feb18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
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