Manipur to Sign Agreement with AIFF to Open State Football Academy

Guwahati: Manipur will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) for logistics and other support to set up a football academy in an effort to further promote football in the state.

Announcing this during the inauguration ceremony of the historic Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament at the Khuman Lampak stadium on Wednesday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “It is indeed very fortunate for Manipur to host the Tri-Nation International Tournament and also a moment of pride that the national team consists of five to six players from the state.”

“We’ll be signing the MoU during AIFF chief Kaylan Chaubey’s visit on the closing match of the tournament on February 28,” the chief minister further said.

Biren Singh also appreciated the AIFF chief and his team for acknowledging the potential of Manipuri players and the State’s love of football.

He also called to the people to attend the matches and to display discipline and dignity during the event.

The fact that Manipur contributed 43 players to The Indian Super League, the top men’s professional football league in the Indian football league system, demonstrates the state’s dominance in the sport of football and how it has become known as the “football factory” of India.

Despite the state had held various competitions in the past, including Durand Cup, this is the first time the football-crazy state hosted the international tournament.

The Main Stadium of the sports complex appeared to be packed at the opening ceremony, which was followed by a match between India and Myanmar that India won by a goal of 1-0. The official attendance was 29,341.