SHILLONG: In a significant step towards strengthening Meghalaya’s position as a football powerhouse, the Meghalaya government has allocated 15 acres of land to Northeast United Football Club (NEUFC) for setting up a residential football academy.
Speaking during an Open Training & Media Day event in Shillong on Thursday, NEUFC CEO Mandar Tamhane said the construction of the residential football academy at Mawkhanu in New Shillong Township is expected to commence in January 2025.
“With the new academy and our partnership with Meghalaya, we are committed to developing football in the state. The construction will begin early next year, and it will take around two years to complete,” he said.
The initiative, supported by the Meghalaya Government, aims to nurture young football talent and contribute to the growth of the state’s football ecosystem.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma welcomed the NEUFC team back to Meghalaya after their Durand Cup victory. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting NEUFC and other clubs in turning Meghalaya into a football hub.
Sangma said the academy would provide a nurturing environment for young football players, fostering their skills and contributing to the overall development of football in the state.
“We have exciting plans in place, including grassroots programs to identify and nurture young talent. Our goal is to promote and train these promising athletes at a very early stage. We are eager to implement these initiatives and see the positive impact of this partnership,” the CM stated.
The Chief Minister engaged in a friendly interaction with the NorthEast United FC players, praising each of them as “icons” for the youth of Meghalaya.
“It is not just about the games but the larger impact that we will see especially for people who love football and our youngsters who we would like to see one day wearing that jersey and representing the country at the top level, ” the chief minister said.
On March 14, the Meghalaya government inked a deal with NorthEast United FC to set up a ‘state of the art’ Residential Football Academy in New Shillong.
Meghalaya Tourism has been a dedicated sponsor of the NorthEast United Football Club for the past two seasons.
Tamhane expressed his appreciation for the exceptional support the club has received from the state government. “We are happy that the Meghalaya Government has given us 15 acres of land on the outskirts of Shillong to develop our residential academy,” Tamhane said.
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He stated that the club is working in partnership with the state Tourism Department to reach out to different districts and foster the growth of football at the grassroots level.
