Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21 2009:
A team of FIFA officials inspected the National Sports Academy ground, Khuman Lampak (popularly known as RAU ground) near Lamlong bridge selected for installation of articifial turf today.
The new FIFA initiative covers only a few states of India and it was based on the contributions of each state towards development of football in India.
The FIFA team comprising of Eric Gordon Harrison and FS Chrysantha Perera and AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco arrived at Imphal on a few hours visit to the state today.
They made a direct assessment of the RAU ground.
After inspecting the ground, FIFA expert Eric Gordon Harrison raised some reservations about drainage system.
He also put up certain questions.
To this, officials of the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) and Youth Affairs and Sports Department gave a detail explaination in their bid to remove the reservations of the FIFA official.
Eric Gordon said that a detail report would be sent to FIFA headquarters at Zurich within weeks and installation of artificial turf may begin from January next year.
Installation of the artificial turf may cost US $ 6000 to 7000 .
Once the artificial turf is instaalled, Manipur can host not only national and international camps but also high-level football tournaments, the FIFA officials said while drawing attention of the state officials to install flood-lights.
FIFA started using artificial turfs since 2003.Altogether 52 grounds have been equipped with artificial turfs in Africa in the last 3 years starting from 2006.Under the same initiative, some selected grounds would be laid artificial turfs at Colombo and India within a short time.
FIFA officials have been currently inspecting fields at Imphal, Bangalore, Shillong, Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren interacted with the FIFA officials and pledged all possible assistance from the side of the State Govt.