All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey lauded the efforts of Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) for successfully hosting the 77th edition of the National Football Championship (NFC) for the Santosh Trophy final round.
Kalyan Chaubey said the state has upheld the standard which was set last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Arunachal Pradesh hosted the championship for the first time. The final of Santosh Trophy was held on March 9 in which Services beat Goa 1-0 to clinch the trophy. It was their seventh title.
The final, graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries including AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu, showcased the state’s burgeoning prominence in the realm of Indian football. More than 15,000 fans thronged at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia in Itanagar.
Kalyan Chaubey lauded the exceptional organization of the event, hailing it as a testament to the state’s commitment to upholding global standards. He expressed gratitude towards the APFA president and Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu for his unwavering support in making the tournament a resounding success.
“We hosted the 76th edition of the Santosh Trophy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last year, in international stadiums, and with VAR technology. That set the standard. Now, I am happy to say that Arunachal Pradesh has very much upheld that standard. The deafening chants here in Arunachal Pradesh are being echoed across the world through FIFA+,” said Chaubey.
Acknowledging the significance of the occasion, Pema Khandu extended a warm welcome to the AIFF delegation and emphasized the immense potential of Itanagar, the capital city, as a hub for football enthusiasts. He announced plans for the construction of a larger football stadium, echoing the sentiment of the roaring crowds who gathered to witness the tournament.
The event marked a significant milestone in Arunachal Pradesh’s sporting journey, with its enthusiastic spectators creating an electrifying atmosphere reminiscent of international football arenas.
The resonance of the tournament’s fervour was not confined to the local arena, as it reverberated globally through FIFA+. The widespread acclaim garnered by the 77th NFC for the Santosh Trophy final round underscored Arunachal Pradesh’s emergence as a frontrunner in India’s footballing landscape.
