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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 4 (EMN): President of All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kalyan Chaubey, on Sunday officially launched FIFA’s ‘Football for Schools’ at IG Stadium, Kohima.
The ‘Football for Schools’ is a programme run by FIFA and UNESCO, which aims to incorporate football as a part of school curriculum for boys and girls around the world.
Reminding that children including those from Nagaland are the "future" of the country, Chaubey said, "I am here to support you to become football players and support your dream to play football in highest level."
Recalling that Nagaland had produced Dr. T Ao, who captained the Indian football team at the 1948 Olympics Games in London, and brought laurels to the Nagas, the AIFF chief said children of Nagaland have the talent to follow the footpath of the legendary footballer and bring pride to their state.
Chaubey expressed optimism that many youngsters can become "star footballers" if the ‘Football for Schools’ programme is properly implemented with proper system and strategy.
At a time when the whole world is watching the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the former Indian goalkeeper lamented that India is not being part of the mega sporting event.
Chaubey expressed positivism that the introduction of ‘Football for Schools’ programme may be a one-step-closer for the country to fulfill its dream of playing the World Cup.
He also hoped that through the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) in collaboration with the government of Nagaland, the project would run successfully to produce quality football players.
The chief of the football governing body observed that people of the Northeastern states have endurance capacity and potential to become superior athletes as they are physically well-built, given the geographical structure of their region.
He believed that the project of FIFA can groom the youngsters to become professional footballers. "You need to up-skill your talent in terms of proper strategy," Chaubey said.
He also assured that AIFF will provide all support to the state through NFA to ensure boys and girls get proper scientific and technical football training.
Zale Neikha, advisor of Youth Resources & Sports, who also spoke during the event, stated that ‘Football for Schools’ is an ambitious programme, which aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of millions of children. Neikha said the programme seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system with valuable life skills and knowledge.
Wezope Kenye, secretary, department of YR &, also spoke on the occasion.
The AIFF president, who is in the capital city for a two-day visit, will attend the Hornbill Festival as the chief guest at Kisama on December 5. He is accompanied by Kipa Ajay, treasurer of AIFF.
President of AIFF, Kalyan Chaubey, informed that he would be meeting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday to propose creating a scholarship programme, in collaboration with AIFF, so that all 16 districts of the state would have professional coaches in three year’s time.
Chaubey informed this to a section of media during a press briefing on Sunday evening here at the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) office.
The AIFF chief also said he would brief the chief minister on his plan to educating football coaches and referees under the instruction of experts having international experience, so that all 16 districts of the state can have a professional coach along with 10 professional referees for the entire state.
He emphasised on the need to recruit professional instructors in Nagaland under whose guidance budding footballers can be trained.
"I can sense that Nagaland has a lot of potential and I, as the president of AIFF, would like to see all genders play football at the highest level," said Chaubey.