Footballers should practice for 10 months a year: Monika Staab
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 13 2012: FIFA CONSULTANT for Women Football, Ms Monika Staab who came here today said that every footballers should practice for 10 months a year so that they can maintain their form.

Monika was here along with FIFA Development Officer, Yaithilingam Subramaniam and Director National Teams, AIFF, Subhankar Mukherjee in connection with Development of Women's Football in India.

Addressing media persons at Hotel Kristina, Monika said that women players of Manipur play well and they have strong stamina and endurance.

Unfortunately, players in Manipur practice only about two months in a year.

They only practice in match season.

It would be better for them if they practice for 10 months a year like other footballers around the world.

She further said that Indian women are having a higher place in FIFA ranking than their male counterparts and urged to put maximum efforts to increase the international ranking.

FIFA Development Officer, Subramaniam said that Manipur used to produce world class footballers in the past.

But today, Manipur is declining in producing good players for the national team.

On the other hand, Manipuri women are taking major role in the Indian national team.

In every team, there are always 7 or 8 Manipuri women till now.

In national championships too, Manipur women are among the top teams with 16 national titles so far.

Director, National Teams.

AIFF, Shubhankar Mukherjee informed that AIFF is planning to hold league tournaments for senior women through five zones.

Winners and runners of the five zonal tournaments will play the Inter Zonal Tournament.

He also said that Manipur is the future of Indian football with many promising footballers rising up from the grassroot level.

Compared with the large population of India, the position of Indian football in international arena is very poor.

However there are high hopes for India in the international arena considering the large population.

India is often described as Sleeping Gaint of Football, he added.

During their visit, a friendly match was played between Imphal East and Imphal West at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal.

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