ITANAGAR, Feb 01: The Arunachal Pradesh is all set to host the final rounds of 77th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2024, for which the trophy has been brought in Itanagar on Thursday.
The championship is scheduled from February 21- March 9 at Golden Jubilee Outdoor Station, Yupia, wherein three match will be played at a day & night under the flood light (International Standard), said, Treasury All India Football Federation (AIFF) cum secretary general All Arunachal Football Association (AAFA) Kipa Ajay, during a press conference at APC.
Without the support of the state government and various departments, hosting of the final rounds would not have been possible, said Kipa, while thanking chief minister Pema Khandu for his untiring works & support for making dreams come into reality. It is also a happy moment that we being the eastern most state of country has been given responsibility for hosting the game is a pride movement for the state and its people. He said.
It is due to constant support of our president and chief minister Pema Khandu led government and his personal zeal and concern towards the sport, who sanctioned funds for the successful construction of Yupia Stadium, he added.
Giving information related to preparation work, he said, visiting teams would be given the best accommodation for which location has been identified at Itanagar, Naharlagun and Nirjuli. Keeping the excitement of the football lovers ticket has been also fixed at Rs. 100 per match and it can be obtained online as well offline alos, he added.
Sharing on the preparation and team’s exposure, AIFF grassroot member John Neelam, said that out of more than 200 football players across the state best of the best players comprising 22 players, team Arunachal is all set to participate in the tournament. Practices and other activities are underway and hope our player also show good performances and win the race. He said.
In the tournament 12 teams would be competing with each other such as from Group A Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Goa, Assam, Services, Kerala and Group B: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Manipur, Mizoram, and Railways. He said.
The first match will be played between host team Arunachal team and Goa.
The venue for the practice has been kept as Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Naharlagun), NERIST ground (Nirjuli) and Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy (Chimpu), second match Meghalaya Vs Services and third match Assam Vs Kerala. He added.
He further appeal all the football lovers to visit and enjoy the games in various locations.
