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Araang League is an annual football league in Manipur state of India that promotes young footballers in Manipur and NorthEast India. The League is registered with All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) - AMFA is the state governing body of football in Manipur. It is affiliated with the All India Football Federation, the national governing body.
The first edition of Araang League football championship was hosted by the organizers with the partnership of Assam Rifles (Ukhrul District) and several private sponsors, notably Khaibak Designers Pvt Ltd in December, 2014. Five times World Women's Boxing Champion Mary Kom inaugurated the tournament. The second edition of Araang League is due to kick start on 5th December 2015 at Tangkhul Naga Long Ground and Bakshi Mini Stadium, Ukhrul town.
Araang League is also the name of the governing body, the organization. The operations centre of the Football League is in Ukhrul, while its commercial office is New Delhi.
Araang League envisions to nurture the skills and identify talented youths for both genders in North-East region, referred to as "the powerhouse of Indian Sports." Araang League was formed in the year 2014 by a strong group of like-minded individuals from Manipur coming from different walks of life. Araang League aims to inculcate the spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship, facilitate conducive environment for acquiring and developing football skills and help the youths in taking up football as a career, wherein preparing potential sports-persons to contribute in nation building, and to foster better relationship among the diverse communities in creating an atmosphere of peace, stability and unity in the region.
Araang originally is the name of a bird. Local indigenous parlance (Tangkhul Naga tribe) refers to as the Hornbill bird. In the nomadic wandering age, the bird was widely considered by the natives as a trusted guide throughout their various migratory routes. The Araang bird is today, a highly endangered species with rare sightings only in the thick forested Angoching range. Richly adorned in beautiful multi-colour and majestic features, the bird is a true manifestation of the Creator. It signifies pride and honour.
The Sangai Express, the largest circulating news paper in Manipur is its media partner.