Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel today concluded his two-Day visit to Mizoram. During his visit, he inspected various sports facilities and participated in programs promoting sports and youth development activities. He was received by the State Chief Minister Shri Lal Thanhawla and the volunteers from the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

Shri Goel said, Mizoram has always given the best footballers and is one of the leading Indian states promoting football, He said, he is delighted to be there. The state government’s support towards football is yielding results; eight players in the Under-23 national side is a testament of the state’s sports culture.

Shri Goel visited the Sihmui Cricket Stadium which is as big as the MCG Stadium. After an inspection of the facilities along with the Chief Minister Shri Lal Thanhawla, Sports Minister interacted with the officials and suggested ways and means through which maximum utilization of the stadium could be done.

In his address to the students of NYKS, NSS, NCC and SAI trainees Shri Goel announced that a Football Academy would be established within the premises of Mizoram Football Academy at Sairang. He urged them to utilize their knowledge and skills for New India and an overall nation building. On the second day of his visit Shri Goel was the chief guest in an event organized by Mission XI Million; a legacy campaign of FIFA which targets to introduce eleven million children to football and active sports. Shri Goel also met the Governor of Mizoram Lt.Gen. (Retd.) Nirbhay Sharma.

(Press Information Bureau, Government of India / Photo courtesy: Mizoram Football Association)