Agartala, June 22: Despite being a small state, Tripura has made significant progress in the field of football in recent years, said State Sports Minister Tinku Roy. He was speaking at a friendly football match organized between the Sports Department and the Agartala Sports Journalists Club at the Umakanta Mini Stadium in Agartala on Sunday.

The Sports Minister noted that with the development of football infrastructure over the past four to five years, the standard of players in the state has also improved remarkably. He highlighted that Tripura successfully participated in the National Football Tournament for Under-14 Boys and Girls held in Agartala recently.

Minister Roy further informed that the promising players selected from that tournament are now being trained at the Tripura Sports School to hone their skills. He expressed optimism that the state team, shaped through this initiative, would bring laurels to Tripura in national football competitions in the coming years.

The minister also underscored the importance of the Talent Search Scheme being implemented for the overall development of football and nurturing young talent in the state.

Tripura Football Association (TFA) President Pranab Sarkar was present at the event, along with other dignitaries and sports enthusiasts.