Rangsakhona, Sept. 7: Meghalaya sports minister Zenith Sangma today announced that Rangsakhona playground in South West Garo Hills would be developed as a centre for players from the grassroots level under the ambitious Mission Football of the state government.

'Promoting football is a priority of the government. By creating the centre, we would like to coach the young players,' he said while inaugurating the Rangsakhona Invitational Football Tournament.

Zenith said the government would start sport testing, a mechanism through which a talent is identified by using technology, to groom and nurture local players.

'The conventional way of selection is time consuming, therefore, the government has decided to introduce this method that would save time and help identify potential footballers,' he added.

Zenith said identifying players between the age group of 8 and 12 years, who can be trained, would be the topmost priority of the programme.

Director of sports department Matsiewdor War Nongbri said the government is trying to encourage the spirit of football by organising bigger football events in rural areas.

Twelve teams are taking part in the tournament from across Garo hills. Teams like Shillong Lajong junior, Nabajyoti Club Guwahati, Langsning Sports Club and United FC Goalpara have been invited.

The top teams of the tournament will lock horns with the invited squads.