Immediately pay FIFA U-17 Manipur players: CM

Imphal, Oct 12: Taken aback by reports on the non-payment of dues to eight Manipuri footballers in the FIFA U-17 Indian team, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday directed the immediate payment of Rs 5 lakh each.

Singh was miffed after he came to know that the poor parents (now in New Delhi) were uble to watch their children play in the matches as they faced difficulties to mage their expenses. The state government had announced fincial assistance to the parents. Sports Minister Letpao Haokip said: “Rs 10,000 each was given to the parents and air tickets.”

Members of the public had also doted generously to eble the parents to go to the tiol capital. Following the Chief Minister’s rebuke, payment to the players was expedited. IANS