FC Goa signs MoU with North-east clubs

Shillong: Indian Super League based franchise FC Goa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three Shillong-based football clubs, the Goans announced on Tuesday.

Sujay Sharma, Head of Player Recruitment and Analysis represented FC Goa and after a brief discussion agreed a partnership with the three clubs- Mawkhar Sports Club, Mawlai Sports Club and Royal Wahingdoh Sports Club. The contract stats that the 2015 ISL finalists will offer technical expertise to the three clubs and in return it will have the option to sign players from these clubs in the future for a fixed amount of fee.

It looks to be a big and a wise move by the club, given the high-demand of players from the north eastern region of the country both in the ISL and the I-League.

“We are pleased to have got into a formal partnership with these three clubs. We are excited at the prospect of having an opportunity to scout talent from the state of Meghalaya,” said FC Goa President Akshay Tandon, according to a press release.

“The state, much like Goa, holds a real passion for football and the enthusiasm the state has for the sport is commendable. These three clubs have played a vital role in developing that passion,” he added.

Among the three, Royal Wahingdoh Sports club, established in 1964 is best remembered for it’s fine run in the 2014-15 I-League season. Playing for the first time in the top flight division (I-League) Royal Wahingdoh finished third, just behind champions Mohnu Bagan and Bengaluru FC. It finished above seasoned clubs such as East Bengal, Salgaocar FC, Demo SC, etc.

Over the years North-east has developed as the breed ground for young talented footballers. Stars such as Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Eugeneson Lyngdoh are some of the top names to have come out from this reason. The tie-up with FC Goa will surely boost the players and give them a taste of bigger football in the future.

“It is well documented that we have focused a lot in investing in youth this year and this is another step in that direction. We are confident that in the coming years we will see these investments paying rich dividends,” added Tandon.

“With us sharing a common vision in the development of promising young talent, this was a wonderful opportunity for us to work together. We hope that this tie-up will give the young players an opportunity to develop their talent by instilling professional ethics in their training and best practices into their coaching,” he concluded.