Imphal, July 16: International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has agreed to sponsor an Astroturf for Manipur, an artificial synthetic playing surface that resembles grass but is weather proof and durable.
This was informed at the ongoing Manipur Assembly by N Biren Manipur, minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) on Friday.
Biren said that the Astroturf football playing surface would be under the care of All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) for all of its predicted life of about 30 years so that football players of the state can practice round the year in all weather on an international standard surface.
Biren also informed the House that the government policy of reserving jobs for meritorious sports persons began in 2003.
On the academy for sports, the YAS minister said that National Sports Academy (NSA) is run by a society and he admitted there has been a communication gap between the government and the society due to which NSA has been in deplorable condition.
He however assured the House that following the cabinet decision to recruit more coaches and specialist doctors on contract basis, NSA will see better condition in nearest future.
MLA RK. Anand pointed out that Manipur being a sports power house the condition of NSA was shocking.
