Tri-nation Fifa Friendly To Be Held In Imphal From March 22 To 26

NEW DELHI: The upcoming FIFA International break will be a momentous one where the India Senior Men's National Team will play Tri-Nation FIFA Friendly Football Tournament matches against Myanmar and the Kyrgyz Republic at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in the capital of Manipur, Imphal.

The games will take place during the March FIFA International Window. The matches will be played on March 22, 24, and 26.

This was announced by N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur in a press conference in Imphal on Monday. Present at the press conference was Kalyan Chaubey, president, All India Football Federation and secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran.

Singh said, "It is a great initiative by the AIFF leadership that we are getting to host International friendly matches in Manipur for the first time in history. From our end, I can assure everyone that the Government of Manipur will do everything to provide the best facilities and facilitate in the successful organisation of the tournament.

"Manipur has been a significant contributor in Indian Football scene and we are grateful that the AIFF management has also taken the step towards spreading the game to different parts of the country," said the CM.

"Manipur has provided many International players for the National Team. It is indeed an honour to host the tournament and further encourage our players and sports enthusiasts.

"The likes of Renedy Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Udanta Singh, Amarjit Kiyam, Suresh, Jeakson and lots more have all set the international stage alight and held the standards of Manipur football high on the national and international stages," he 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 Ashalata Devi, Dangmei Grace, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu and many more have made the country proud time and again well."

The CM also requested the AIFF's assistance in establishing a top-class academy in the state. "I would also like to request the AIFF for its assistance in establishing a football academy of global standards in Manipur, where we can nurture the talented boys and girls from the state and set their course for further development."

This will be the first time that the India Senior National Team will be playing in Imphal, Manipur, as the Federation looks to spread the outreach of the beautiful game throughout the country, in line with its strategic roadmap, Vision 2047.

The venue for the games is the historic Khuman Lampak Stadium, which has over the years hosted many I-League games and also group stage games of the prestigious Durand Cup in August 2022. Established in 1999, the stadium has a capacity of 35,000.

"We all are aware of football's popularity in Manipur. The state has produced a huge number of footballers, both men and women, but never before has a national team's match been organised in the state," AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said. "Having launched Vision 2047 recently, our aim is to take quality football to the furthest corners of the country. Manipur's vibrant football culture makes them deserving hosts, and so they have been given charge of hosting the Senior National Team's matches."

The AIFF chief further praised Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who has promised more infrastructural growth of football in the state of Manipur.

"I have massive respect for the state of Manipur, and was glad to see CM sir's intent for connect with Indian Football. He told me what we can do for further development of the game," said Chaubey. "There have already been so many international players from Manipur, but the CM sir is keen to take things even further. He has promised that the Manipur Government will open an academy, with top level grounds, infrastructure and hostels. With his leadership, I am sure the AIFF will put its best foot forward to so that every talent in Manipur can be nurtured properly. I can assure you that Indian Football will put all efforts to get the best from the boys and girls of Manipur."

"Manipur is a state that has huge footballing potential and we hope that bringing international football here will provide a tremendous boost to local football and have a positive impact on Indian Football," secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran said.

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