Imphal, June 02: Around 90 percent of the best football players are from small clubs from rural areas of Manipur. If we want to develop and prosper in the game, skills of the players from far flung areas should be groomed with proper training and modern techniques.

This was stated by renowned football coach, S Ekendra during the opening function of a 15-day-long Football Development Programme being sponsored by Ekendra and jointly being organised by Public Information Center and Youth Center at Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Bishnupur district today.

He further said that with an aim to develop the skills of the players, coaching camp, developmental programmes and training session should be organized in different parts of the state. It is also important to provide an opportunity to learn modern techniques by players from village areas.

Ekendra expressed desire for conducting similar coaching camps and trainings in the other parts of the Manipur rather than concentrating only in the capital city.

In the football development programme a total number of 35 players are participating. Two Chief Coaches of the programme namely Th Surendra and N Public would impart the players with latest football techniques.