KUALA LUMPUR: Lack of financial support is the biggest threat to Indian football’s nursery – Manipur, said a top official from the country’s northeastern state.
“We get a minimal grant from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and it’s difficult to run all the activities on that,” All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) General Secretary Ranjit Roy told www.the-afc.com.
Manipur was the first state to embrace AFC’s Vision India programme and their 12-team Manipur State League is in its third year now. Around 200 players from this state alone are plying their trade for the club teams across the country.
“Nearly 50 players apply for inter-state transfers every year and the numbers are growing because the clubs in Manipur can’t afford bigger salaries,” he said.
The clubs run their activities, thanks to support from the local communities who chip in with their contributions.
“We are trying our best to lure sponsors. Our grassroots programme got a boost recently when we got kits for around 3000 children from a sponsor. The state government provides us with some balls and goalposts,” he added.
Apart from the Manipur State League, the AMFA organises US$ 10,000 prize money Winners Cup between the district champions.