AHMEDABAD, July 18: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has committed to provide �extra financial help� to boost growth of Indian football, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Rijiju made the statement on the sidelines of the Hero Intercontinental Cup here.
�We have seen certain improvements in our men�s as well as women�s football in recent times. From the Sports Ministry, we will provide extra financial help wherever it�s possible to scout, and nurture young talents as well as for the professional training, and other events,� Rijiju said in an interview to the AIFF.
The Minister didn�t hide his affinity for football and said his ministry will put more attention for better training, coaching and facilities.
�The Ministry of Sports will provide whatever is required for better training, coaching, facilities, and other demands and requirements whichever will be placed by the AIFF. We�ll always be there,� Rijiju said.
�I�m very enthusiastic about supporting any kind of sport in India, and football is very special for me,� he added.
He also praised the senior Indian women�s team for its recent rise in the FIFA rankings which were released on July 12.
�I must compliment the women�s team for rising to 57 in the FIFA rankings recently. That�s a huge jump. I�m very confident that the standard of the women�s team will rise further,� Rijiju said.
�Football is the biggest game in terms of popularity, reach, size. We also have to put a lot of effort to improve our football. Be it a village or a city, football is a game which can be played anywhere. I�m very hopeful that the standard of Indian football will rise in the years to come.� � PTI
