In a bid to take football to the next level Ladakh Football Association (LFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a France-based organization, the Indo-France Sports Association (IFSA). 

LFA secretary Tsering Angmo revealed it has been a strategic partnership. IFSA will help us to educate our coaches, and send experienced and qualified coaches from France to attend training of our youth development programs. According to Tsering IFSA has promised also to create opportunities for our potential young footballers to train at renowned French club teams.

While speaking over the phone from Ladakh, Tsering explained, "In the last two-and-half years, after I started working as the general secretary of Ladakh Football Association, I have observed that crisis of needed funds is the most important obstruction to the development of football in Ladakh."

She continued, "I have not yet found any separate financial budget for the development of sports in Ladakh. Still, the authority of the Union Territory administration helps LFA which is not sufficient. IFSA has also promised to take the initiative to accumulate CSR funds from the corporate sector. If the financial assistance comes from that segment then it will help LFA to make the development of the game fast.” 

LFA's initiative has helped 24 local coaches to acquire D-license coaching degree verey recently. According to LFA secretary, now following IFSA's initiative, these coaches will be educated by some renowned French coaches through online classes.

It is believed that LSA needs nearly Rs 5 to 6 lakh to run the football in the state and the association hardly gets the needed financial help from the Union Territory. 

Ladakh Sports Council has not yet been constructed. The LFA is expecting some more financial grants once the Ladakh Sports Council is made. 

Still, LFA is all set to complete the state football league. The final phase of the League with eight teams will be held in August and the champion will be participating in the Third Division I-League.

Significantly, following LFA's decision playing out-stationed footballers in the Ladakh state league has been banned from this season. "Otherwise, we cannot develop our footballers. Even, due to that reason, my team 1-Ladakh FC has not been able to take part in the ongoing state league. Most of our footballers were roped in from other states. So, we have started building up a new team with promising local boys. Being the LFA secretary I approved the rule. Then how can I break it in the case of my team?" asked Tsering. 

LFA is now planning to organise an invitational Climate Cup with four teams in September. Gokulam FC and a prominent team from the NorthEast are likely to take part along with Tibet national side and the team from Ladakh will be participating in the competition.