Via PTI
GUWAHATI: Younger children dotted the streets of Assam’s Guwahati town on Sunday enjoying soccer.
They have been, alternatively, now not out taking part in the vacation, quite they have been collaborating in a protest tough a box for taking part in soccer on this greatest town of the state.
Over 500 footballers from around the state took section in a protest rally within the town tough that a minimum of a few fields be allowed for taking part in soccer in Guwahati.
From former and present nationwide and global point gamers to kids with a keenness for the sport participated within the protest.
“There isn’t a unmarried soccer box made to be had via the federal government for taking part in soccer in Guwahati anymore.
Consequently, training has just about stopped and no tournaments are being organised within the town,” Hem Das, president of All Assam Soccer Avid gamers’ Affiliation, instructed PTI.
“Our call for is unassuming, we would like the Nehru Stadium to be reopened for soccer. It will have to even be allowed within the Judges’ Box,” he stated.
Das stated soccer used to be allowed within the Nehru Stadium in addition to Judges’ Box thru mutual working out with cricket fit organisers previous, however for just about two months now no soccer is being allowed in those two fields.
Chatting with PTI, Hemendranath Brahma, secretary of Assam Soccer Affiliation (AFA), stated the Affiliation does now not have any box of its personal, despite the fact that it’s been urging the federal government for it through the years.
He stated when Nehru Stadium used to be being transformed right into a devoted cricket floor, the AFA has requested the government to offer another box for soccer, which the latter had agreed to seem into.
“If the ex-players had an issue with Nehru Stadium turning into reserved for cricket, they will have to have objected when it used to be being evolved,” he contended.
He additionally identified that previous each soccer and cricket, together with global fits, was once performed at Nehru Stadium, nevertheless it has been discontinued now.
Brahma stated the Affiliation has submitted an inventory of 10 websites in and round Guwahati to the Directorate of Sports activities and Formative years Welfare for growing as soccer floor.
“We wouldn’t have data on development on our proposal but, however we’re assuming that the Directorate is operating on it. Our coaching floor at Bijoynagar at the outskirts of town could also be arising, he added.
The AFA secretary maintained that soccer is now not Guwahati-centred and is being actively inspired on the grassroots via the Affiliation.
“It could be mistaken to mention that AFA isn’t running for the game or the gamers. We’ve our girls and boys enjoying with the nationwide groups, we’ve got been preserving extra choice of fits on the decrease ranges,” Brahma stated.
Das, a former national-level footballer, stated the absence of the fields used to be proving destructive for the occupation of the aspiring gamers.
He stated, “Soccer will also be performed via any person with a keenness for the sport and the children hope for a role in sports activities quota later of their occupation. But when they don’t have publicity on the subject of fits, they can’t be eligible for the reservation.”
A former footballer who participated within the protest stated, “We aren’t soliciting for scooters or laptops. Our call for is unassuming, we simply desire a box to play in Guwahati.”
Senior journalist Mrinal Talukdar, an avid sportsperson himself, stated, “They aren’t asking for specialized coaches, nutritional dietary supplements or anything else fancy. They just desire a box to follow and play.”
“Soccer is a non-expensive recreation and any person can play it. We will have to now not deprive any person from following their hobby,” he added.
As in keeping with data within the All India Soccer Affiliation site relating to its Assam associate frame, there are 2016 registered footballers within the state with 195 gamers renewing their registration this 12 months.
The state has 152 coaches and 6 training lessons, but even so 955 referees.
There are 53 licensed golf equipment within the state together with 27 registered districts, however most effective 10 enjoying grounds.
