Gangtok, June 8: As the soccer fever caught on across the world on the eve of the World Cup, Sikkim readied for some innovation on its home turf.

The Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) has sanctioned a sum of Rs 1.8 crore for the development of infrastructure for the game in the state. The funds have been sanctioned by Fifa through the All India Football Federation (AIFF) under the Fifa Goal Project-II scheme.

AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco has informed the Sikkim Football Association about Fifa?s decision. Colaco is also likely to visit the state shortly along with two project directors from Asian Football Confederation to inspect facilities in the state and identify the areas, which need development.

Tempo Bhutia has been re-elected the president of SFA for the third consecutive term. Bhutia, who also serves as the chairman of the players? committee of the AIFF, has been unanimously reelected by the members with no other contestant in the fray. He will now hold the post till 2010. B.K. Roka, the former general secretary, was elected the working president, while Menla Ethenpa will be the association?s general secretary.