Manjeri : New projects shall be implemented for refurbishing Payyanad stadium, said Finance Minister KN Balagopal. The gallery shall be renovated to accommodate larger number of spectators and facility for sports training . There will be emphasis on development for the sports sector, the minister said, speaking at the culmination ceremony of Football Trophy Tuesday.
Watching football seated at Payanad gallery feels like experience similar to watching World Cup in European countries, said Speaker MB Rajesh. There would perhaps exist no crowd in the country elsewhere that holds football so close to heart as here. It is Malappuram fans that made championship such huge success, said the Speaker.
The second phase renovation works at Payyanad Sports Council stadium shall be sped up, said Minister V Abdurahaman. Former soccer star IM Vijayan gave away the top scorer award and memento to TK Jess. Gauravmangi presented Bengal’s Priyant Kumar with award and memento for best goalkeeper.
The Hero of the Tournament award was presented to Jijo Joseph by Minister Ahmed Devarkovil. Speaker MB Rajesh and Minister KN Balagopal gave away tropy for winners and runners-up. Others in attendance at the event were : MLAs Adv. UA Latif, P Ubaidullah, AIFF Assistant Secretary Anil Kamath, Sports Council President Mercy Kuttan and Sub-Collector Sreedhanya Suresht. The Sports Council President, A Sreekumar, delivered the welcome note.
