The Indian sports ministry has allocated a fund of Rs. 10 crores for the U-23 national team for the preparations for the upcoming Asian Games in 2010 to be held in Guangzhou, China.
The central government is keen to see India do well in the continent’s premier sporting event and hence, has decided to boost their chances by providing subsidy to various sports associations.
Speaking to Goal.com, Indian sports ministry joint secretary, Injeti Srinivasan said, “For the Asian Games to be held in November next year, we want India to do perform well and hence, have decided to grant Rs.10 crores for the U-23 national team.”
Earlier, Mr.Srinivasan had intimated Goal.com that they are in talks with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and had asked for a plan for the coming season.
“We want to help football and are also finding ways as to how to help for the 2011 Asian Cup,” mentioned the sports ministry official.
This is certainly a great move by the Indian sports ministry especially after being put under the scanner with Indian national coach Bob Houghton’s scathing comments against the Indian sports minister, MS.Gill for ridiculing his team.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Saturday 25 July 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.