AIFF training camp for under 20 team in Shillong

Shillong, Sep 6 (UNI) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has chosen Shillong as one of the centres to train the eolts for the World Youth Football Championship (WYFC), scheduled in Canada in june next year.

The AIFF, has prepared its under-20 Team, and held camps in different parts of India like Kolkata, Gwalior, Bangalore and Goa over the past 10 months. This team has 12 members from the North Eastern region.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Meghalaya Minister in-charge Sports and Youths Affairs Paul Lyngdoh said Shillong was chosen as one of the centres for the training camp in view of its high altitude, where the players have to undergo high altitude endurance training.

The coaching camp would be held here from September 12 to October 10, he said, adding that the Indian team would then proceed to Kolkata.

The team consists of 30 players and five officials.

Mr Lyngdoh said the Meghalaya Football Association has offered to host this camp.

Elaborating on the WYFC, the minister said four Asian countries under the banner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) would compete in the Championship.

In order to qualify for the WYFC, the AFC would conduct the Asian Youth Football Championship all over Asia in groups.

Mr Lyngdoh said this Asian Championship has now reached the final state where the final rounds will be held in India during October 2006.

Meanwhile, the state Sports and Youth Affairs Minister dismissed the reports that state football team would not participate in the Santosh Trophy Tournament 2006.

He said Meghalaya would play its first match against Mizoram on September 15 and against Andaman&Nicobar on September 17 and against Uttar Pradesh on September 19.

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