Friday , March 29 2024

Meghalaya launch statewide Football development program ‘Mission Football’!

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mukul Sangma earlier today officially launched a statewide football grassroots development program ‘Mission Football’ at a packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the state capital Shillong.

The government as per a Mission Football document intends to spend Rs 560 crore in the next five years for the development of football in Meghalaya to produce the next crop of Indian internationals like Rocus Lamare, Aiborlang Khongjee and Eugeneson Lyngdoh.

The government intends to spend Rs 560 core in the next 5 years for development of football in Meghalaya aimed at developing approximately 1400 playgrounds in all the 11 districts of the state.

An investment of approximately Rs 1.5 crore is expected to be made on one stadium (ground) with a total of eight to developed across the state besides better equipped full fledged football stadiums in seven districts with an investment of Rs 5 crores per stadium.

The government also plans to have 10 grassroot centres in each of the 11 districts of the state taking the total number of such centres to 110.

There will also be a Meghalaya State League similar to what the state of Mizoram has developed over the last five years.

“The state has a lot of potential in respect of football. We foresee a future where Meghalaya will be connected to the rest of the world because of our love and passion for football,” Mukul Sangma said.

“It is the only game which attracts people from all walks of life. It is based on these observations that the government has come up with a definitive focus to help football in the state and become a powerhouse in not just India but the globe,” he added.

“It is a dream to see Meghalaya being known for the strength and not just passion and love for football,” he ended by saying.

AIFF vice-president and Shillong Lajong FC owner Larsing Ming Sawyan said the aim is to have six artificial turfs across the state.

“We now have five artificial turfs in the state. When we have six, it will be the most by a state in India,” Sawyan said to loud cheers.

The launch of Mission Football was marked by a special football friendly between a NorthEast XI and a Rest of India XI with state boy Eugeneson Lyngdoh leading the NorthEast team, former India goalkeeper Sandip Nandy was captain of the Rest of India side.

The match ended 2-0 in favour of NorthEast with India striker Holicharan Narzary and Shillong Lajong defender Rupert Nongrum scoring for the winning side to the big cheers of the local fans.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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