AHMEDABAD: Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Youth Affairs & Sports, and Minister of State for Minority Affairs, affirmed the Ministry of Sports “will provide extra financial help wherever it’s possible” to help Indian Football propel to the next level.
“We have seen certain improvements in our men’s as well as women’s football in recent times. From the sports ministry, we will provide extra financial help wherever it’s possible to scout, and nurture young talents as well as for the professional training, and other events,” Rijiju said in an exclusive interview with AIFF.
Rijiju was speaking on the sidelines of the Intercontinental Cup 2019 in Ahmedabad where he came to cheer for the Blue Tigers.
The 47-year-old minister also didn’t hide his affinity towards football, and declared the Ministry of Sports will put more attention to “better training, coaching, facilities and other requirements.”
“The ministry of sports will provide whatever is required for better training, coaching, facilities, and other demands and requirements whichever will be placed by the AIFF. We’ll always be there. I’m very enthusiastic about supporting any kind of sport in India, and football is very special for me,” Rijiju maintained.
The minister also praised the Indian Senior Women’s Team for their recent rise in the FIFA rankings which were released on July 12, 2019.
“I must compliment the women’s team for rising to 57 in the FIFA Rankings recently. That’s a huge jump. I’m very confident that the standard of the women’s team will rise further”, he declared.
“Football is the biggest game in terms of popularity, reach, size. We also have to put a lot of effort to improve our football. Be it a village or a city, football is a game which can be played anywhere. I’m very hopeful that the standard of Indian Football will rise in the years to come.”
