Meghalaya Bets Big On Football, Approves Land For NorthEast United Academy

NEUFC has now proposed an investment of Rs 40 crore to Rs 50 crore for three football grounds.© X (Twitter)

Meghalaya is looking beyond football grounds and grassroots centres to build a pipeline of players who can compete at the international level, with the state Cabinet approving a 45-year lease of 19.99 acres at Mawkhanu in New Shillong to NorthEast United FC for a football academy. The move also revives an earlier proposal to shift the club's entire management from Guwahati to Shillong. Government spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said discussions on relocating the management had taken place in the past, while the club has now proposed an investment of Rs 40 crore to Rs 50 crore for three football grounds, accommodation facilities and other infrastructure.

Shylla said Meghalaya had already invested substantially in grassroots football, but developing talent required the next stage of training infrastructure.

"Under the mission football we give support to the local clubs where we have given Rs 3 crores to Shillong Lajong, we have given Rs 30 lakhs to Mawlai sports club," he said.

The state has nearly 125 grassroots football centres, while its funding policy provides support to clubs competing in different tiers of the league system. Shylla said professional academies were needed to help young players progress beyond grassroots training.

"We have almost 125 grassroot centre in Meghalaya. What we miss is we need the next stage where we need good academies to come and where our students can be trained to compete at the International level," he said.

NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham, who is also Meghalaya's tourism brand ambassador, had previously discussed shifting the club's management to Shillong, Shylla said.

The minister said the academy would complement the state's investment in sports infrastructure, including the football stadium currently under construction. He added that the club's presence could pave the way for its Indian Super League, Durand Cup and other matches to be held in Shillong in the future.

Shylla, however, stressed that the move was not intended to sideline local clubs or other organisations seeking government support.

"We are not stopping or closing the door for our local team or whoever wants to come forward. They can come and put forward their proposal and if their proposal is good the government is there to support them," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)

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