news details |
|
|
| India to play Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan in tri-nation football friendly in March | | |  agencies
NEW DELHI, Feb 6: The tiny but football powerhouse state of Manipur will host its first official international matches next month in a tri-nation friendly tournament involving Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan, besides the Indian team, at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Manipur
The matches will be played on March 22, 24 and 26, which fall during the FIFA international window.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh announced that the state capital will host the international tournament at a press conference in Manipur in the presence of All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran.
It is a great initiative by the AIFF leadership that we are getting to host international friendly matches in Manipur for the first time in history," Biren said.
"From our end, I can assure everyone that the Government of Manipur will do everything to provide the best facilities and facilitate in the successful organisation of the tournament.
"Manipur has provided many international players for the national team. It is indeed an honour to host the tournament and further encourage our players and sports enthusiasts."
Biren mentioned the names of the likes of Renedy Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Udanta Singh, Amarjit Kiyam, Suresh Wangjam and Jeakson Singh, who have donned the country's jersey in international matches.
"Manipur has been a great contributor to women's football as well. Players like Bala Devi, who is one of the best strikers of this generation, captain Ashalata Devi, Dangmei Grace, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu and many more have made the country proud time and again well."
He also requested the AIFF's assistance in establishing a top-class academy in the state.
The 35,000 capacity Khuman Lampak Stadium, where the matches will be held, has been hosting I-League games. It hosted group stage matches of the prestigious Durand Cup in August last year.
"We all are aware of football's popularity in Manipur. The state has produced a huge number of footballers, both men and women, but never before has a national team's match been organised in the state," Chaubey said.
"Having launched Vision 2047 recently, our aim is to take quality football to the furthest corners of the country. Manipur's vibrant football culture makes them deserving hosts, and so they have been given charge of hosting the Senior National Team's matches." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
