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 HeroIntercontinental Cup here.
“We have seen certain improvements in our men’s as wellas women’s football in recent times. From the sports ministry, we will provideextra financial help wherever it’s possible to scout, and nurture young talentsas well as for the professional training, and other events,” Rijiju saidin an interview to the AIFF.
The Minister didn’t hide his affinity for football and saidhis ministry will put more attention to better training, coaching andfacilities.
“The ministry of sports will provide whatever isrequired for better training, coaching, facilities, and other demands andrequirements whichever will be placed by the AIFF. We’ll always be there,”Rijiju said.
“I’m very enthusiastic about supporting any kind ofsport in India, and football is very special for me,”he added.
He also praised the senior Indian women’s team for itsrecent rise in the FIFA rankings which were released on July 12.
“I must compliment the women’s team for rising to 57 inthe FIFA rankings recently. That’s a huge jump. I’m very confident that thestandard of the women’s team will rise further,” Rijiju said. “Football is the biggest game in terms ofpopularity, reach, size. We also have to put a lot of effort to improve ourfootball. Be it a village or a city, football is a game which can be playedanywhere. I’m very hopeful that the standard of Indian football will rise inthe years to come.”