National team plays football on Golf Course

Shillong, Sep 21 (UNI) National coach for the Under-21 football team Islam Akhneyov expressed his disappointment with sports authorities here after they failed to provide a proper football ground for the team's training camp.

''I am surprised to see the lackadaisical attitude of sports officials,'' Akhneyov said.

Last week the 27-member team arrived here for a high altitude training camp, he said, but the Meghalaya Football Association is yet to provide a football ground.

The Uzbek national, coaching the Indian side, told reporters that none of the football grounds were playable.

''If the boys practice on that field they run the risk of being injured,'' Akhneyov said, adding that his boys have to practice in an open space near the 18-hole Golf Course.

Akhneyov also revealed that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was in favour of Sikkim as the venue for the high altitude training camp.

The under-21 football team will be participating in tournaments to be organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in different venues throughout the continent.

Four teams from Asia would be selected to participate in the World Youth Championship to be held in Canada next year.

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