Yogi govt plans grounds in all 827 blocks to make UP a football hub

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that Uttar Pradesh will be developed as a football hub by developing facilities in every single block of the state. Plans are already afoot to develop football stadia in each of the 18 divisions and football grounds in all 827 blocks.
All-India football federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, who met the CM on Monday during the first Kolkata Derby held in Lucknow, told TOI that initially he was sceptical about hosting a match like the derby, but the govt reinforced its commitment to the game by renovating the KD Singh Babu Stadium in just 19 days.Sources in CM office confirmed that the AIFF chief discussed plans to promote soccer in the state.
“When I met the CM recently, I said a match like the derby, if played in Lucknow, will help in the growth of football in UP. But having a good stadium to host the match could be a problem. To my great surprise, the UP govt took only 19 days to renovate the KD Singh Babu stadium for the big occasion. This is a matter of great pleasure for every football lover in the city of Lucknow,” Chaubey said.
During the match on Monday, where the CM was invited as the chief guest, he made a series of announcements to promote UP as a hub for football. As the first step, Chaubey said, the CM has announced plans to build 18 football stadiums across the 18 divisions in the state. To give the game a further boost, the CM has also said that 827 football grounds will be prepared in every block where adequate football facilities will be provided and more tournaments will be hosted, he said.
During the match on Monday, the CM had stated: “I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to the teams of Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC on behalf of the UP govt and its people. It is of great importance to us that this prestigious match is being played in our state’s capital, Lucknow, for the first time. The ‘Khelo India’ initiative, championed by PM Narendra Modi, has been a key driver of progress of sports in India and inspired by his vision, UP has aligned itself with this mission.”