AMFA denounces YAS's interference over holding tournaments

IMPHAL, Nov 2
The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) has stated that the intervention of Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports over holding of football tournaments was undesirous.
The AMFA in a statement said that, the apex body will decide whether to hold the 14th Manipur State League 2020-2021 and Women League and the statement from the Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) to cancel the tournaments was uncalled for.
YAS has no right to cancel the football tournament as the onus lies solely on the AMFA, it said while urging Director-in-Charge of YAS not to interfere in the body's functioning.
The AMFA is very much aware of the prevailing situation and the threat of COVID-19, it said while adding that an executive council meeting of the body was convened on October 31 to discuss on the issue and to take a decision whether to hold the proposed tournaments.
It is evident that football activities in the country has been started under the supervision of All India Football Federation and with strict adherence to SOPs laid in connection with COVID-19, the statement continued while adding that AMFA has been approved to conduct activities or tournaments by following related SOPs by the National federation.
AMFA also came out with measures above the SOP and Bio-Bubble concept to be followed by the participating teams and officials.
As per the statement, players in all teams should undergo COVID-19 test ten days before the commencement of the tournament before they are lodged in hostels .
The COVID-19 test will be conducted free of cost and lodging charges will be borne by AMFA, it said.
AMFA will also regularly sanitize fields and hostels apart from arranging practise fields, it said.
The tournament will be held without spectators in view of COVID-19 pandemic it said while adding that match officials will also be tested before accommodating them in hostels.