Guwahati: Manipur is gearing ready to host its first ever international football matche in a tri-nation tournament of friendly games. The competition will be held at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal from March 20 to March 28.
It will take place at Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Stadium will feature India, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey and the AIFF’s secretary general Shaji Prabhakara were present when the state’s chief minister, N. Biren Singh revealed the details of the competition during a news conference at the CM’s Secretariat on Monday.
The Chief Minister has appealed for public support while discussing the need of hosting the international friendly tournament.
In addition, CM Singh stated that the AIFF had granted the state the chance to host the tri-nation international friendly in recognition of the player’s contributions to the nation’s football scene.
Additionally, CM Singh acknowledged the names of former state football players who had served the nation on a global stage. Additionally, he discussed contemporary athletes like Suresh Wangjam, Amarjeet Singh Kiyam, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Hormipam Ruivah, Jaekson Thounaojam, Md Nawaz, etc.
The CM further said, “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 Ashlata Devi, Dangmei Grace, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu and many more have made the nation proud time and again as well.”
The president of the AIFF Kalyan Chaubey expressed his enthusiasm and satisfaction with the chief minister’s response regarding the scheduling of the friendly competition.
Chaubey said, “AIFF is fully aware that Manipur is a football playing state. And the state has produced a huge number of footballers, both men and women, but never before has a national team’s match has been organized in the state.”