SAC members, Union Ministers attend opening ceremony of Inter-States & Regions U-16 Football Tournament

Aiming to raise the standard of Myanmar football sports and improve the standard of health and fitness of the whole nation, promote inter-ethnic friendship in various regions and turn out a new generation of outstanding athletes from the states and regions, Department of Sports and Physical Education the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Myanmar Football Federation held the opening ceremony of the Inter-States/Regions under-16 men’s football tournament at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw at 3:00 pm yesterday.
State Administration Council members Mahn Nyein Maung, U Khin Maung Swe, Daw Aye Nu Sein, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, U Moung Har, U Sai Lone Seng, Dr Banyar Aung Moe, and U Shwe Kyein, Union Ministers Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, U Ko Ko Hlaing, Dr Charlie Than, Dr Thet Khaing Win, U Min Thein Zan, Dr Htay Aung and U Saw Tun Aung Myint, deputy ministers from ministries, staff and employees of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, officials from the Myanmar Football Federation, students from basic education high schools in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, and administrators, coaches and athletes from participating teams attended the event.
First, in his opening speech, Union Minister U Min Thein Zan said that the tournament aims to develop Myanmar’s football sports, promoting the spirit of solidarity and Union spirit among football players from various states and regions, and continued that state and regional football competitions are held with the main aim of bringing out the best young blood football players.
Officials tried for opening football academies for the emergence of a new generation athletes, holding competitions according to athletes’ age, sending teams to compete in foreign tourneys and holding invitational events, and league competitions are still being held today, he elaborated.
As the State encourages and supports sports, the sportspersons should respect the gratitude of the State and not do any actions that would tarnish the image of the nation.
Next, the SAC members and the Union ministers greeted athletes of the participating teams.
During the tourney, the Mandalay Region team played a 1-1 draw against the Kachin State team at Wunna Theikdi Stadium yesterday while the Shan State team shared points 2-2 with Ayeyawady Region team at training ground 3 of the Wunna Theikdi Stadium.
The ISD U-16 Men’s Football Tournament 2022 will be held till 3 November at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium, training grounds No 1 and 3, with a total of 297 athletes from 13 competing teams of states and regions.
Spectators can watch the matches free of charge. — MNA