‘Manipur to develop three artificial football grounds’

Imphal, Oct. 7 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh is ready to develop three artificial football grounds in the state to nurture more footballers in future.
In an interview with a local TV channel here, Biren said that they’ll be developing at least three artificial football grounds on priority considering the requirement of players so that they can play the game throughout the year.
‘Besides we’re also developing existing two main stadiums at Khuman Lampak sports complex,’ he said.
Biren’s comment came out after Manipur contributed eight players to the 21-man Indian football squad for the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The eight Manipuri players are Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (Goal keeper), Boris Singh Thangjam (Defender), Amarjit Singh Kiyam (midfield, captain), Jackson Singh Thounaojam (midfield), Md Shah Jahan (midfield), Nongdamba Naorem (midfield), Suresh Singh Wangjam (midfield), and Ningthoinganba Meitei (midfield).
Currently, the state has only one artificial football ground while the main stadium at Khuman Lampak is yet to have a floodlighting system. The cost of developing an artificial football ground requires at least Rs 1 crore.
Biren, who was a national footballer before joining journalism and subsequently politics, informed that the state’s government had earmarked Rs 35 crore for repairs and renovation, with a floodlighting system at the main stadium and hockey stadium at Khuman Lampak sports complex.
Recently, state Sports Minister Letpao Haokip had assured that playfield development ‘at the grassroots level’ will be taken up as part of the Khelo India project. The process of creating an ‘all Manipur playfield association’ is on; it will be in the line of the All India playfield Association in this regard.