Imphal, Dec. 9 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said non-availability of playgrounds and fields in the locality could be one of the reason behind the decline of producing good players from Zeliangrong community. He was speaking at the closing function of the 11th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament 2017 held at THAU Sports Complex in Imphal on Saturday.
Earlier, a large number of players belonging to Zeliangrong community represented in various clubs during different tournaments of the state. However such representation has been decreasing since many years, Biren said.
Regarding demand by the Zeliangrong Union (ZU) for the construction of Sports Complex, he suggested ZU to look for a suitable site and Government would extend every possible help for the construction of the sports complex.
Stating that sports helps in building real human relations and there is no religion, caste, creed etc in sports, he also informed that the government would have a concrete discussion for the development of THAU ground such as construction of roofing, pavilion and astroturf etc. Biren extended monetary assistance of INR. 50,000 to the organising committee of the tournament.
In his address, MLA Gaikhangam appealed the organising Committee to think of expanding the tournament at the National level scale and it should not be confined only to Zeliangrong community.
The final match of the tournament was played between Langthabal Chingthak Rongmei Club and Keishamthong Kabui Football Club.
