Haryana to set up football academy

Gurgaon, Oct 26 (UNI) The Haryana Government has decided to set up a football academy named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi here to give a major impetus to this game which is immensely popular with the youth especially of the rural areas of the state.

This was announced by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the presence of the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil at the closing function of Santosh Trophy held in Gurgaon today.

Mr Hooda said the academy would be set up over an area of 20 acres. World class level training would be imparted to the budding players to groom them to compete and excel in the national and international level.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who was the chief guest on the occasion, expressed the hope that the proposed Football Academy would be beneficial in producing outstanding sports persons not only for Haryana but also for the country.

UNI MA AY KP1832