Shillong, March 23: The Meghalaya Football Association has launched its long-awaited academy at Polo Ground, marking a major push to strengthen the state’s football ecosystem and develop young talent.
The initiative coincides with the association’s golden jubilee year, with officials stating that the academy is aimed at preparing the next generation of footballers while building on five decades of the sport’s growth in Meghalaya.
The inaugural batch comprises 60 boys, evenly divided between under-12 and under-14 categories. The selection followed a rigorous process, with over 300 aspirants participating in initial trials. Training will be conducted under experienced youth coaches, including Playerson Syiemlieh, Amit Rai, Subir Dey, Seibor Sana and Bobby L Nongbet.
MFA president Hamletson Dohling said the association’s long-term vision is to see more players from Meghalaya compete in the Indian Super League and represent the national team. He urged trainees to remain disciplined and committed while continuing their academic pursuits.
Infrastructure development at the MFA Ground is currently underway, with plans to expand the academy into a full-fledged residential facility. Vice-president Cliff Nongrum said the association is working towards providing accommodation for outstation players, along with scholarships and structured training programmes. He added that there are plans to extend the initiative to include girls in the future.
Emphasising the broader objective, Nongrum noted that Meghalaya currently has limited representation in top-tier leagues compared to states like Mizoram and Manipur, underscoring the need for sustained support to help young players progress to the senior level.
