AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: As part of the E-Pathshala programme, the All India Football Federation, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, organised a webinar for the state of Mizoram on September 29, 2020 (Tuesday).

“The E-Pathshala programme is really important for the development of sports in Mizoram. I am very happy and thankful to SAI and AIFF for the initiative. If kids get proper coaching from the grassroots and intermediate levels, then that will help in their development. This will help shape the future, leading to a successful professional career as Indian football moves forward together,” said former India international Syhlo ‘Mama’ Malsawmtluanga, who was one of the attendees of the webinar.  

Additionally, it was attended by Mr Robert Royte, Honourable Minister of Sports, Government of Mizoram; Mr PS Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Mizoram; Mr John Tanpuia, Secretary, Mizoram State Sports Council and Mr Lalnghinglova Hmar, Secretary, Mizoram Football Association and AIFF Executive Committee member, and Lalengmawia, who was part of India's FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 team and currently plays for NorthEast United. Dr. Pradip Dutta and Dr. G Kishore attended the session on behalf of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Mizoram Minister of Sports Mr Royte commended the federation and SAI for the initiative, stating that it is a good way for the coaches and players to keep themselves apprised of the game in a situation when they cannot be physically present on the pitch.

“In the current scenario, during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is very difficult for athletes and all of us to be physically and mentally fit. As a result of this pandemic, athletes and coaches are facing issues like absence of organised training, competition exposure, limited communication among athlete and coaches,” he said. 

“Because of these circumstances, the Sports Authority of India in close collaboration with All India Football Federation has designed a special innovative online education and training programme in view of spreading grassroots and intermediate education," he added.

AIFF Executive Committee member Mr Hmar believes that this would help impart new knowledge to the children, which was perhaps not previously available at the grassroots level.

"It was a great initiative to start E-Pathshala. This will help the growth of a child footballing career to a greater height and brings more fun to the game. It also touches upon areas that remained unexplored in Indian football at the grassroots level, which gives wider knowledge of football to a child," he quipped.