NEUFC launches football academy in Shillong

Kolkata: Indian Super League franchise North East United FC (NEUFC) has taken a huge step for the development of Indian football as it has launched it’s own football academy that would help nurture the young talent from the north-eastern states.

The academy named- Centre of Excellence (CoE) would be based in Shillong from where they would provide quality training and education to handpicked children all throughout the year to build a supply line of players for the senior team.

John Abraham, who owns the franchise said that it was a dream come true and he would do everything that is needed to have these young children play for the Northeast side.

He said, “This is a dream come true. When I bid for the team three years ago my first goal was to start a residential academy for the talented kids out there.”

He also added, “We will all do everything in our power to provide every talented child the opportunity to learn and eventually play for the NEUFC first team.”

On the progress made so far, Abraham said, “We have already charted a well-defined and competitive pathway for the fantastic talent pool of the North-East. We want to showcase all this on the biggest footballing stage in India.”

According to a release, the CoE would make teams at the U-13, U-15 and U-18 levels to help build a strong group of players who could play in the Northeast colours in the ISL someday.

Not only this, but the club has also signed a five-year deal with Manipur based I-League team Neroca FC to work for the development of football in the area.

As a part of it’s pre-season campaign, Northeast United would play an exhibition match against Neroca FC before the beginning of the fourth edition of the Indian Super League.