SHILLONG: Dynamic and interesting time for football has begun in the country as the sport has emerged as an important one next to cricket, felt president of Meghalaya Football Association (MFA), Larsing Sawian.
Stating that FIFA, the international governing body, the government and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have set their sight on promoting and developing football in the country at a crucial period when the country is preparing for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup 2017.
“We as an association have realised that these are critical and important times for football in the state and we hope to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we look towards further development of football in the state,” he told reporters.
He was addressing the Press at the annual general meeting of the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) held at Polo Towers on Tuesday.
“Meghalaya can contribute much more meaningfully and in a larger way than it has done so far towards of development of football in the country and we hope to achieve greater success in producing talents over the next few years,” he added.
In this connection, MFA will appoint a new and full-fledged CEO who will handle affairs and executive functioning of the association.
Sawian stated that the appointment of a CEO was the mandate of FIFA, AFC and All India Football Federation (AIFF) for state associations to have full time executives.
As for the development of football, he advocated to begin it at the grass-root level. According to him, for grass-root level there has to be a cooperation of district association and the government.
He felt that the presence of coaching classes without players getting to play matches, tournaments was meaningless.
“In this connection, the MFA in collaboration with AIFF will start leagues so that youngsters will get an opportunity to play. Getting the young people to practice without playing matches is not helpful,” Sawian said.
On the other hand, to check age fraud issues, the association will stress on age verification test especially at the junior level.
The MFA also elected new office bearers on Tuesday for the term 2017-2021 with Sawian as president. Vice presidents are Diverland Lyngdoh, Jino Sangma, EMH Passah, B Diengdoh besides other members.
