Guwahati: "The residential academy is a cornerstone of our vision... a structured development program that spans all age groups, from grassroots to the first team”, Mandar Tamhane, NEUFC CEO told during an interview with Business North East.
North East United FC (NEUFC) is set to launch a Residential Football Academy in Meghalaya, marking a major step forward for football development in the region. The academy, which will be established on a 15-acre plot near the New Shillong Township at Mawkhanu, is part of a collaboration between the club and the Government of Meghalaya.
This initiative aims to nurture young football talent and develop grassroots programs, offering aspiring players a pathway to play for NEUFC or even represent India on a national level.
The academy will not only produce top-level footballers but also positively impact the local economy. Tamhane said.
“It’s about more than just training; it’s about building a future for football in the Northeast, giving back to the community, and creating a lasting impact. We are expecting it to complete within a year or two,” Tamhane added.
The academy is a key component of Mission Football 2.0. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has expressed his strong support for the initiative, noting its potential to inspire local youth and build a sustainable football culture in the state.
Additionally, NEUFC is exploring the possibility of hosting Indian Super League (ISL) matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, further cementing the club’s ties to the local football community. While the specific budget for the project has not been disclosed, the academy is considered a significant investment in the region’s sports infrastructure
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
BNE: Can you provide an update on the residential facility that will be set up in Meghalaya? What facilities will be available, and when is it expected to be operational?
NEUFC CEO: The residential facility in Meghalaya is currently in the pipeline. The Meghalaya government has already allocated the land and issued the letter of allotment. By the end of January or February 2025, we expect the land to be officially handed over to us. The site is on a hillock, so the government will flatten the area before we begin construction. Once that is done, we anticipate that the facility will take around a year and a half or two years to be fully developed. The facility will feature residential accommodations, 2-3 football fields, a gymnasium, and lodging for players and staff, including coaches. It will also prioritize education, as we believe both sports and academics are important for developing smart, well-rounded athletes. The facility will house Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 teams, as well as a reserve team, and will accommodate around 75-100 players. We aim for it to be one of the major centers of excellence in India, purely based on talent.
BNE: Why did NEUFC choose Meghalaya for its residential campus instead of other Northeastern states?
NEUFC CEO: We are collaborating with other state governments as well, including Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Meghalaya was chosen for the residential campus because the government generously provided us with 15 acres of land, which is a significant achievement for the club, and we take pride in this support. The creation of a residential setup as a center of excellence is key, and it is rare to receive such government support for football, a sport that doesn't usually receive the same attention as cricket.
Apart from this, we are working to establish non-residential centers in all the Northeastern states. These centers will allow players to practice during the evenings and return home, unlike the residential campus. We aim to set up around 15 such centers across the eight Northeastern states, and we are actively engaging with state governments and sports associations. The goal is to inculcate a culture of football, where children play competitively from a young age, allowing talent to develop further in a structured environment. Additionally, in Assam, we are looking to collaborate with the government on initiatives like Khel Maharan and contributing to the existing football academies, such as by providing coaching resources.
We’ve also been scouting young talents across the Northeastern region. In fact, we’ve already scouted 22 players from six states, and we are planning to extend this to Tripura and Nagaland by early 2025. This effort will ensure that talented youths across the region are given the right opportunities to advance in the sport.
BNE: Setting up this infrastructure seems pivotal for the region’s sports development. Could you elaborate on the academy's role and how it will serve the Northeast football community?
NEUFC CEO: Absolutely. The residential academy is, without doubt, a cornerstone of our vision. It will serve as the central hub for talent development in the Northeast, where players can receive world-class coaching, education, and the support they need to succeed. By concentrating resources in this academy, we will be able to create a structured development program that spans all age groups, from grassroots to the first team. It is our ambition that this academy will not only produce top-level footballers but also serve as a beacon of football excellence in the region.
With the cooperation of the Meghalaya government, we now have the necessary land, and the planning for the academy is well underway. The academy will allow us to scout talent from across the region, provide them with the best possible facilities, and give them a clear career trajectory within the club. This is about much more than just training; it’s about building a future for football in the Northeast, giving back to the community, and creating a lasting impact.
BNE: Could you please explain to our viewers the criteria for scouting young football talent? Specifically, what are the key factors that NEUFC looks for when selecting players, and how does the club guide these talents through their development journey?
NEUFC CEO: The most critical factor in scouting talent is ensuring young players participate in competitive matches, typically at the school or youth level. Competitions organized by state football associations, such as the Sub-Junior and Junior National Championships for Under-13 and Under-17 boys, play a vital role in talent identification. Our coaching staff evaluates players during these matches, focusing on key attributes like speed, ball control, dribbling, and tactical understanding. We also assess their physicality, their ability to work within a team, and how they respond to coaching instructions. It’s about spotting those special abilities that set a player apart from the average, even if they aren’t fully developed yet.
Once we identify a player's potential, it becomes the club's responsibility to nurture and develop their skills. Our coaches work to refine these talents and help them progress naturally, whether by joining one of our youth teams, the reserve squad, or ultimately, the senior team. However, even if a player doesn't make it to the first team, we aim to ensure they are well-prepared to continue their career with other clubs, whether in the region or beyond. Our overarching goal is to create a pathway for players to develop professionally, with many hoping to eventually represent the Indian national team.
BNE: Can you give us some insights into the upcoming matches for NEUFC and how the club plans to rally fan support?
NEUFC CEO: We begin our home matches for the ISL soon, starting with a game against Kerala Blasters. From now until the end of March, we will be playing 12 home games, and we hope for robust fan support. Winning the Durand Cup has already made our fans proud, and now it’s time for them to rally behind us like they did in the first few seasons when stadiums were packed. In those early days of the ISL, tickets would sell out quickly, and there was immense excitement among the fans. We want to bring back that same sense of pride and support. However, fan engagement is a two-way street. While we expect fans to come and support us, we must ensure that we deliver performances and organizational efforts that make them proud. By focusing on player development, grassroots initiatives, and maintaining strong communication with our supporters, we hope to reignite that passion.
BNE: Looking ahead, what are the future goals for NEUFC over the next five years?
NEUFC CEO: In the short term, our primary goal is to qualify for the top six in the ISL and advance to the playoffs. In the long term, we aim to represent India in the Asian club competition, which requires consistently being at the top of our game in domestic tournaments. We’re also working towards inaugurating our academy, and we hope that in the next few years, we will have players graduating from the academy who can represent India at various age-group levels. Ultimately, we want to see these players go on to represent NEUFC’s first team. Additionally, we aim to take national matches to different parts of the Northeast and increase local brand support for the club. Our goal is to make the entire region proud of what we achieve on and off the field.
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