AIFF Launches Grassroots Football Development Scheme in Arunachal

ITANAGAR: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday launched its grassroots football development (GFD) scheme in Arunachal Pradesh with an aim to tap, select and nurture football talents in the age group of 6 to 12 years.

GFD committee chairman Shantanu Pujari launched the scheme in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.

Terming the GFD as ambitious and timely, the Chief Minister said: "This is the age group, which if nurtured and technically equipped, will go on to become world class players."

Khandu, who is also the honorary President of the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA), announced that the state government would begin this scheme in 100 schools, preferably government-run, very soon in consultation with the state's education department.

He said schools with existing infrastructure along with a qualified physical training teacher would be given preference.

"Physical training teachers of selected schools would be trained by AIFF experts so that they are technically equipped to train budding footballers in their respective schools," Khandu said.

He expressed optimism that Arunachal Pradesh, in the coming years, would be able to contribute talented footballers to the national team. IANS

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