Big boost to football in NE: NEUFC to open 15 day-boarding academics in North East in next 5 years

NEUFC is the only club in the entire country, which comprises of the eight northeastern states. Hence the club feels that it is their responsibility to scout for budding football

Mandar Tamhane, NEUFC CEO

In a big push to the aspiring footballers in the northeast region, Northeast United FC is mulling to open as many as 15 day-boarding academies in the Northeast as well as a Residential Training Institute in Shillong.

Speaking to Northeast Live, the CEO of North East United Football Club, Mandar Tamhane, said, “The idea is to have 15 centres in the next five years in all eight states of the northeast. By May 31, 2024, we should have at least 3 to 4 centres, which will be like a day boarding centre where the children will be staying at home and will come just for training. This will be in the age group of 7, 9, and 11 years.”

On the idea of setting up one residential academy, the CEO said, “The idea is also to have one residential academy setup for the 15, 16, 17 year olds and reserved. This residential academy, with the support of the government of Meghalaya, will hopefully be set up in the next 2–3 years.”

He added that talks with the Meghalaya government is underway to set up the Residential Football Institute.

NEUFC is the only club in the entire country, which comprises of the eight northeastern states, and hence the club feels that it is their responsibility to scout for budding football talents from the region.

Meanwhile, the players of NEUFC today had a practice session at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai, Guwahati, before the team get on the pitch to play for the Indian Super League 2023–24 season matches.

Speaking on the sidelines of the training session, Head Coach of North East United FC, Juan Pedro Benali, said that it is a unique experience to train the club, which represents the entire Northeastern region.

Speaking on the potential of football talents in the region, Benali said, “Till now, in all the games we played, for every team, you will find 5–6 players from the region.”

Benali further said that when it comes to football, it is not Kolkata, South, West, or North India, but the Northeastern region, which is the football hub of the country.

Also Read: Asian Games: Lovlina Borgohain, Harmanpreet Singh to lead Indian contingent in opening ceremony

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