Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has committed to provide "extra financial help" to boost the growth of Indian football, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Rijiju made the statement on the sidelines of the Hero Intercontinental Cup match between India and Syria.
The Minister said his ministry will put more attention to better training, coaching and facilities.
"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," Rijiju said.
"I'm very enthusiastic about supporting any kind of sport in India, and football is very special for me,"he added.
He also praised the senior Indian women's team for its recent rise in the FIFA rankings which were released on July 12.
"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” he concluded.
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