GUWAHATI, June 21 - The Dr T Ao Birth Centenary Celebration Committee has resolved to place a proposal to DoNER/NEC for introducing another football tournament like Dr T Ao North East International NEC (U-21) Gold Cup in the age group of U-14, both boys and girls, for promotion of the game among the young footballers and to tap their competitive talent early.
In a seminar on promotion and development of football in NE region, organised by the committee here today, the representatives of other NE states including Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland and Assam have opined that the U-21 tournament has to be continued as this championship has been able to bring the name of T Ao, the captain of the Indian football team in 1948 London Olympics into the national scene again.
The members also suggested constituting an advisory board with all members from NE States� football associations for development and promotion of this U-21 tournament which will help in developing the standard of the game in this region. It was also resolved to request the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to set up a task force of footballers, coaches and organisers to prepare a master plan for the development of the game in this part of the country.
The representatives of Mizoram urged the committee to take initiative in starting a North East League in order to facilitate the players of this region in honing their skills. Officials of Tripura FA urged the committee to visit all the states and appeal to the State Governments to put emphasis on taking schemes for developing the game in their respective states. Most of the representatives, including Assam revealed that they are lacking in proper infrastructure and adequate fund. Dr T Ao Birth Centenary Celebration Committee officials, Swapnanil Baruah (president), Subodh Malla Baruah, DD Khound, Pradip Hazarika, Bidyut Kalita, SAI director Dr Subhash Basumatary, among others were present in the seminar.
