Mecley Foundation seeks official clarification from AMFA

IMPHAL, Dec 26
Mecley Foundation has sought an official clarification from the All Manipur Football Association regarding the use of the term "illegal" in a memorandum issued recently cautioning parents against unauthorized trial selection.
Mecley Foundation, in a press release, clarified that the foundation was a registered NGO with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India and framing them as "illegal persons" by the  AMFA in the said memorandum was condemnable and misleading.
Mecley Foundation said that the foundation had posted about a "BFC High-Performance Camp to be held  in association with Bengaluru FC from January 3 to 9" on its facebook page on December 18.
Following the post, the AMFA on December 22 issued a memorandum that "some illegal persons are conducting trials using the name of Bangalore FC" and " AMFA will not take responsibility for future controversies". The memorandum also mentioned that AMFA has banned unauthorized trials in Manipur, it added.
Reacting to the memorandum, Mecley Foundation clarified that they foundation and Bengaluru FC are not organising any trials in Imphal and BFC High-Performance Camp is a talent development programme similar to a winter or summer camp. The camp aims to provide high quality football training under the guidance of qualified coaches from Bengaluru FC, it said while acknowledging the current ban on trial selections and talent hunts imposed by AMFA since March 16, 2024. Since it was not a selection trial or talent hunt, it does not require AMFA's permission, it said.
Mecley Foundation said that use of terms like "illegal persons" and the incorrect reference of "Bangalore FC" in the memorandum without reaching them out was very unfortunate.
The proposed camp has been cancelled as Bengaluru FC had informed them that the AMFA has not granted permission for the camp, Mecley Foundation said while demanding an official clarification from AMFA regarding the use of the term "illegal" to describe the foundation.