Manipur to host Hero Tri-Nation International Football Friendly tournament

Imphal: Manipur will host a Hero Tri-Nation International Football Friendly featuring India (FIFA ranking 106), Kyrgyz Republic (FIFA ranking 94) and Myanmar (FIFA Ranking 159) from March 20 to 28.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh announced this on Monday during a press conference at his secretariat. He sought support from the general public.

He highlighted the significance of hosting the international friendly tournament successfully. He said that the government will put its best efforts in organising it.

The state should grab the opportunity given by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to the state, Biren said and urged the people to come out and watch the matches.

The chief minister said the AIFF has given the opportunity of hosting the tri-nation international friendly to the state acknowledging the contribution of the state’s player to the country’s football scene. He also highlighted some names of past footballers from the state who have represented the country in the world platform and present players like Suresh Wangjam, Amarjeet Singh Kiyam, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Jaekson Thounaojam, Md Nawaz, etc.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey expressed happiness with the chief minister’s response to the organising of the friendly tournament. Stating that the AIFF is fully aware that Manipur is a football playing state, he highlighted that from the very beginning when the National Football league started in 1995-96 till date, there is atleast one Manipuri player in every club or in the national side.

The state has sent its players to the national teams, now the federation wants to bring the Indian National Senior team to the state, the AIFF president said, adding that this will be the first time. He continued that the overall hosting of the tri-nation will be done by the Government of Manipur with technical support provided by the AIFF in collaboration with the All Manipur Football Association.

Chaubey also highlighted the possibility of opening a football academy in the state with full technical support including in sports science, coaches from the AIFF so that each football talent available in the state can be nurtured properly to play in the world stage.

AIFF, secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran, YAS director T. Phulen, officials of All Manipur Football Association attended the press conference.