GUWAHATI, June 15 � Assam will begin their Santosh Trophy campaign against Himachal Pradesh at Kolkata on July 22 and in the next two cluster matches the State team will face Uttarakhand on July 24 and Kerala on July 26.
To prepare the State team, the Assam Football Association (AFA) has shortlisted 34 players for the coaching-cum-selection camp scheduled to be held at Golaghat from July1. Santanu Basu, coach of the Assam Rifles soccer team has been given the responsibility of the team, while Sanjib Handique, secretary of the Golaghat District Sports Association will be the manager of the squad.
Along with other local players, Bilifung Narzary ((ONGC, Mumbai), Sisuram Chutia (Salgaocar), Durga Boro (Churchill Brothers), Bikash Narzary (East Bengal), Sibra Narzary (Vasco), Saya Basumatary (Amity United) have also been invited to attend the camp.
Addressing a press conference here today, AFA secretary Ankur Dutta said this time Assam has a bright chance to qualify from cluster VII as apart from Kerala, other teams in the group are not so strong.
Dutta further revealed that the AFA is trying to tie up with Mohun Bagan Athletic Club for technical support. The Kolkata giant has agreed on principle and the plan will be given concrete shape within a short time.
On the AFA Academy, situated at Bijoy Nagar, Dutta said the State Government has already released Rs 25 lakh and they will start construction work soon.
