India: AIFF, State Govt to set up Football Academy in Manipur

Imphal: The Government of Manipur signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday for the establishment of the Football Academy in Manipur. AIFF will be providing the logistics and other support to the Manipur Government, which is essential for this venture, which is considered a historic event in Manipur football.

The Memorandum was signed by the AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran and the youth affairs and sports director, Government of Manipur, T Phullen, during the closing event of the Hero Tri-nation international football tournament. The event at the Khuman Lampak Stadium was also attended by the Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh and the AIFF President, Kalyan Chaubey.

The Memorandum aligns the provision of high-quality infrastructure at the football  for the youngsters with an aim to produce professional footballers from Manipur, which will take the name of the state and the country ahead in the field of football.

Notably, the closing event Hero Tri-nation football tournament was attended by a huge number of spectators, which packed the Khuman Lampak stadium, with a sitting capacity of 35000. The final match was played between the Blue Tigers(India) and the Kyrgyz Republic. The audience cheered for the Manipuri players, Suresh Wangjam and Jeakson Singh, as they were fielded for the play.

Notably, at least seven Manipuri players were part of the Indian National Football team in the international tournament held in Manipur. The Manipur Governor, Sushri Anusuiya Uikey, also attended the closing ceremony of the first International football tournament held in Manipur.