Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma inaugurates Residential Football Academy in Shillong

Football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, officials of Dream Foundation and SAI authorities were present at the inauguration event held at SAI Training Centre, NEHU

Meghalaya is known for its passion for football. It is expected to get a big fillip as Chief Minister today inaugurated the Dare to Dream Academy, a residential football academy in Shillong. The football academy is a joint initiative of the Bhaichung Bhutia Football School and the Dream Foundation which seeks to provide world class training and infrastructure to the budding footballers of Northeast.

Football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, officials of Dream Foundation and SAI authorities were present at the inauguration event held at SAI Training Centre, NEHU.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the football academy will go a long way in producing football talents from the region. Chief Minister Sangma said, “So happy to learn that the collective venture has trained 6 footballers from Meghalaya who have played in the Indian League and is growing from nurturing 6 footballers to over 50 from across the North East today. This is a promising start and I am certain that this will bring out many talents from across the region.”

Speaking on the future of football in Meghalaya as well as the entire Northeast, the Meghalaya Chief Minister feels that it has huge prospects. Conrad Sangma said, “If you look at the overall picture now, whether its the under-17 or the senior level, a large number of players are from the Northeast. You have to realize that these talents have come out almost raw, which means they have come out on their own and they did not have the necessary support and infrastructure. So inspite of not having that still there were a large number who made it to the national team. So you can imagine that if we are able to provide scientific and proper training and the necessary infra to them, it would be a game changer. So the future is huge.”

“We hope that our players will be able to contribute to the national football team and we hope that one India will start qualifying and obviously and will start winning the World Cup also. Our dream is big but it starts with small steps,” added Conrad Sangma.

Former India striker Bhaichung Bhutia said, “This is the residential football academy. We will be addressing the entire Eastern region and Northeast. For us Shillong, Meghalaya is the venue because first of all we have got such great wonderful CM and the state itself is very passionate about football and sports. For us ideal was to come in here and we are also very thankful to Dream Foundation for supporting and sponsoring kids.”

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