Football academy in pipeline: YAS Minister
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07 2024: With the approval of the All India Football Federation, the State Government is striving to set up a football academy in the State and start its construction by this year, said Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam.

The YAS Minister made the statement during a discussion to pass the demands of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department in the Assembly.

Though the sum allocated to the department in the Budget is small, the Department is undertaking many projects outside the Budget, Govindas Konthoujam informed the House.

The Centre has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

A project to ascertain the suitable discipline (of sport) for children of the State based on their anatomy is also in the pipeline under the DoNER Ministry and in collaboration with the Leander Paes Foundation, he added.

The DoNER Ministry has also approved the construction of a multi level indoor stadium with a budget of Rs 40 crore.

A detailed project report in this connection will be submitted very soon, informed the YAS Minister.

He added that upgradation of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is also in the pipeline.

Offering a clarification in response to Khangabok AC MLA Okram Surjakumar, Govindas Konthoujam stated that there is a provision to provide 21 days residential training before a sportsperson leaves for any national or international competition.

Similar training will be provided under the Khello India program as well.

Efforts are also underway to start such training under the National Education Policy.

Stating that the Government is trying to provide incentives which it failed to in the previous Budget, he stated that the Government is striving to give employment to 81 gold medallists of the 36th and 37th National Games.

Similar proposals have been made for the winners of 44th Asian Games and 19th Hangzhou Asian Games.

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