AMFA executive council members are a bunch of jokers, says YAS Director
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 10 2023:
The present members of the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) executive council are a bunch of jokers, said Youth Affairs and Sports Director T Phulen Meitei.
T Phulen made the remark during a press conference convened this afternoon at his office in connection with the nomination of a team to I-League Second Division now renamed as I-League 2 for the season 2022-23 .
Addressing media persons, he said that the ugly development following the issue is a clear indication of absence of system within the association (AMFA) .
He continued that the issue has been noted and will soon be handled by the National federation, All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The same was assured in a reply from the National federation after the State's Youth Affairs and Sports Minister highlighted the issue in a letter addressed to the AIFF, he said.
Regarding AMFA's claim that YAS Minister had not taken the association into confidence before writing to the National federation regarding the issue recently, Phulen maintained that the claim was unfounded as he had written to the secretary of the association (AMFA) on December 28 following the receipt of a complaint regarding the team nomination.
Adding that the Directorate (YAS) has not received any reply from the association till date, he ridiculed that the present members of AMFA executive council are a bunch of jokers and should step down on disciplinary grounds.
It was very unfortunate and unexpected from AMFA to have ignored the winners of 15th Manipur State League for the Second Division League which serve as a qualifying tournament for I-League, he said.
He further charged that the association had not even approached the second, third and fourth placed teams as the association has claimed.
The claims that the second placed and other teams showed no interest and have financial issues are baseless and they were never consulted, he said.
The press conference was also attended by representatives of KLASA FC, Sagolband United, SSU etc., who also delved on how hard is it for clubs to run and raise standard players to be able to feature in top tier tournaments starting from grassroots level.
Maintaining that AMFA seemed to be unaware of the efforts, dedications and expenses involved, they said that they are featuring their clubs in the top flight league tournament (Manipur State League) not for the mere Rs 2 lakh being offered for the champions but to scale new heights and play in higher tier tournaments.
Considering the ever-losing support in AMFA organised well known tournaments like Manipur State league and CC Meet in recent years, the executive council members of the association should resign from the posts, the YAS Director added.
On being asked about the monetary assistance extended to the association in organising CC Meet, the YAS Director continued that the Departement (YAS) has been assisting the association with monetary support for years.
But in the wake of the recent development, the Department will now be seeking audited statements for the assistance from AMFA and the Department may cease assistance until the existing crisis is not solved.
On frequent claims of AMFA that the YAS Department has been indifferent towards the association, Phulen said that it was very unfortunate while highlighting the initiatives of the State Government.
Citing favouritism and unethical conducts of the present executive council members, YAS Director charged that the association had made YWC-Langthabal to play in the qualifying round of previous edition of Indian Women League on the ground that CMS was not completed.
With it the team had to incur more expenses when they, being the winners of that season's Women's League, could have played directly in the final round.
Not only this there have been other cases of 'favouritism' in team selections, he charged.
If the organisation and administrative system of the association is not properly reorganised in a transparent manner, the future of football in Manipur is uncertain, continued Phulen while asking people to decide what course would be fit to settle the issue.
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