Love for football should spread all over India: Modi

From Our Correspondent

SHILLONG, May 27: Prime Minister rendra Modi today said that the love for football should spread to other parts of India and not remain in the northeast alone.

Speaking during the public function at the Polo Grounds, Modi while laying the foundation stone for Ampati sports stadium said that football should develop not only in the northeastern region but also other parts of India.

The Prime Minister also said that football in northeast is a passion and played in every nook and corner of the region.

Much to the excitement of the public he also took the mes of some of the famous footballers of the state like-Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Aiborlang Khongjee and Marlangki Suting.

Modi said that these footballers of Meghalaya are household mes and have done the country and state proud.

The Prime Minister also said that the country needs to take advantage of the Under 17 World Cup to be held in India next year.

Modi also expressed happiness that the Government of Meghalaya has launched Mission Football aimed at tapping budding talents at the grassroot level. “Mission football is to detect talents at the grassroot and provide support for grooming and nurturing the youngsters as professiol footballers,” the Prime Minister said.

He announced that the Government of India through the Ministry of DoNER has approved a sum of Rs 38 crores for building the stadium. “I am sure the stadium will go a long way in fulfilling the objective (to produce footballers),” Modi said.