Tata Trusts to set up Centre of Excellence : CM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 22: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has informed that Tata Trusts will set up a Centre of Excellence to provide free football class and schooling at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
He also conveyed that more astro turf football grounds will be developed in the State to be used for grooming football players through the efforts of Tata Trusts and All Manipur Football Association (AMFA).
Speaking on the sidelines of inspecting the developmental works at Langjing Achouba Football Ground, Khuman Lampak football ground and hockey turf ground today, the Chief Minister continued that the Centre for Excellence, that will be set up at Khuman Lampak, will provide free football class in addition to other benefits like free schooling as done in football academies run by Tata Trusts.
“There will be around 45 seats in the Centre for Excellence and the matter was jointly discussed today with the officials of Tata Trusts and AMFA”, Biren added.
Asserting that Manipur has the potential of producing world class players in football and other disciplines, Biren went on to exude confidence that the said objective can be fulfilled only when the footballers of the State are trained with the requisite infrastructure and equipment. 
While claiming that around 30 coaching and training camps for football are being opened in various districts, Biren said that only three districts in the State are left to be covered by the said football coaching and training camps. 
He then said that astro turf laying at Langjing Achouba Football Ground and erection of flood lights at the hockey turf ground and football grounds are being carried out through funding from DoNER and NEC as well as shares from the State Government.
The Chief Minister further stated that he has urged the authorities concerned to make possible efforts to complete the developmental works at Langjing Achouba Football Ground before February 15 and for the flood light erection at Football Turf Ground and Hockey Turf Ground at Khuman Lampak to be completed before February 8.
When asked about the updates on the State Government’s response to the alleged harassment and molestation of a lady IPS officer by an Assam Rifles Jawan at Khudengthabi check post, the CM replied that the State Government has accepted the FIR lodged by the lady IPS officer.
He also assured that he has already talked through the phone with the Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary (North East), Satyendra Garg, about the matter, apart from informing the Union Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy as well. Claiming that appropriate action will be taken up against those found guilty after investigation, the Chief Minister added that the State Government may even approach the Court concerned for issuance of warrant if needed.