DM’s of 32 districts made football administrators
In a first, the district magistrates of 32 districts across Uttar Pradesh will don the role of football administrators. They will ensure the installation of football goalposts, availability of grounds and footballs so that all interested not only enjoy the game, but youth also take up the sport professionally.
“It’s an effort to generate interest for football among kids,” principal secretary, sports, Anita Bhatnagar Jain told HT on Monday, adding, “I am hopeful that youth will make use of the facilities in their districts.”
The 32 districts chosen for the launch of the scheme, include Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Basti, Balrampur, Bahraich, Faizabad, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Mirzapur, Hameerpur, Jhansi, Agra, Etawah, Lakhimpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Meerut, Saharanpur, Shrawasti, Muzzafarnagar, Ghaziabad, Chandauli, Pilibhit, Bijnore, Rae Bareili, Ambedkarnagar, Barabani, Azamgrah, Mau and Deoria.
“Instructions to the district magistrates of all 32 districts have been issued, and we have chalked out this programme with the support of the UP Football Sangh. Such a move was very much needed, and to execute this plan properly, the DMs have been asked to ensure installation of goalposts in schools, grounds, parks and even on land of nagar nigams.”
The initiative seems to have been inspired by the visit of three Croatian Football Federation coaches to the state capital to train coaches here last year. This was followed by the visit of state government officials to Croatia in April this year, where such a scheme was suggested.
“The purpose is to generate a special feeling for football among kids, especially those who are 4-plus. We want that every kid of this age in our state should play football, and at this age performance isn’t required, but the game generates a feeling among them,” said Bhatnagar.
It is learnt that out of 400 ad hoc coaches appointed this year by the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate, there are 50 specialised coaches for football. “We will use their services for the coaching/training of the kids in all these districts,” director sports RP Singh said.