Manipur CM assures thrust to develop sports in state

Imphal, Oct. 22 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the government is committed to increasing the seat capacity of the main stadium of the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex from the present seating capacity of 25,000 soon.
He was speaking at the pre-season friendly match played between the NEROCA FC of Imphal and NorthEast United FC held at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Sunday.
Speaking as chief guest, the chief minister said that the main stadium ground was being developed into the football field of international standard with natural turf fields so that the state could host to various international football matches in the future. Seeking the encouragement and support of the people, Singh said that the state government would be developing two-three playgrounds by laying ‘astro turf’ (artificial turf) in the state soon. The government is also planning to install flood lighting system in the main stadium soon so that football matches will be played during night time too, he added.
Singh said that, “We are expecting at least eight players from Manipur would be in India squad for U-19 football World Cup like that in U-17 World Cup.”
Also, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Letpao Haokip spoke at the event. Mentioning the culture of sports and the love for football in the state, Haokip said that it wouldn’t be wrong ‘If we called Manipur as “Sports City” of the country.’
The minister further said that the government would work its best to improving and developing the football infrastructure to promote and produce good football players in the state.