Gujarat Government to set up Football Academy

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated the 7 th Times of
India and Claris T20 Soccer Tournament here today for school children studying in
Standard 9 to 12.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the state government proposed to set up Football
Academy at Gandhinagar and Himatnagar. He wished Gujarat excelled in football like
Bengal. He said the state’s annual budget on sports increased from Rs.20-crore to Rs.516-
crore over the years, Rs.75-crore on Shaktidoot Yojna.
The Chief Minister said that it was because of Khel Mahakumbh and other initiatives taken
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the State’s Chief Minister that produced
sportspersons of international level like Asian Games 4×400 relay gold medallist Sarita
Gayakwad. Nearly 40-lakh students and youth participate in Khel Mahakumbh.
Mr. Rupani complimented Claris and Times of India for popularising football in the state. He
wished luck to all the footballers in the tournament.
Claris Managing Director Arjun Handa said that his company has been relentlessly
encouraging football in Gujarat past several years. Nearly 1,500 students from 100 schools
are participating in the 7 th edition of T20 Soccer.
Times of India Resident Editor Harit Mehta among other dignitaries were present on the
occasion.