Shillong, Jun 2: A 28-member contingent of U-20 footballers will leave Shillong tomorrow for France on a 20-day training programme from 5th to 25th June at Olympique Lyonnais’ academy.
A send-off for the players and seven officials was held today, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma encouraging the teenagers to make full use of the opportunity.
Informing that the entire trip is estimated to cost the state government Rs 2.8 crore, Sangma said that the bill didn’t dissuade him in the least.
“The reason I didn’t take time is because I’ve always believed that when we spend money on the youth it isn’t an expense but an investment,” he said. “If you (the players) get into the Indian Super League, you’ll be able to earn what we spend on one person in a single season. To invest in our youth is the right way to go forwards.”
The team’s head coach, Bobby L Nongbet, in his earlier remarks, said that the trip has its origin in last year’s U-17 boys’ Subroto Cup performance, where the Meghalaya team were runners-up. By dint of that effort, they were then invited to Paris for the Indo-French Football Tournament earlier this year and will now be heading to Lyon.
The players range in age from 16 to 19 and hail from East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills. Most of them played under Nongbet at the recent U-20 National Football Championship, where Meghalaya exited in the semifinals.
Also present on the occasion was Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling. He thanked the CM and his government for its continuous support for the development of football in the state, which has enabled the MFA to hold youth tournaments and the senior men’s Meghalaya State League. He also announced that the MFA’s first women’s league will begin in August.
“Sending a youth team abroad is a big deal and is a historic moment for the state. You boys are very lucky to have this opportunity to train in France. It is a platform to shape your future,” Dohling said. “The MFA wants to see players graduate from the junior to the senior levels and reach the ISL. If Manipur and Mizoram can produce 40 to 50 ISL players then why not Meghalaya? You can do it, not just for yourselves but to bring laurels to the state.”
Meghalaya has consistently performed well at the youth level but that has never translated into sustained success in the senior categories; compared to Manipur and Mizoram, there are just a handful of players from the state in the ISL.
Sending this team to France is all part of the state government’s vision to improve Meghalaya’s standing in the national football arena. That vision comprises infrastructure development, better training and incentives for athletes.
On the infra side, in the next three to four years there will be 50 artificial turf grounds in Meghalaya, Sangma said, the most in any one state in the country. The under construction Mawkhanu football stadium – a 40,000 seater to be built at a cost of Rs 700 crore – will be the largest venue purely for football in India and will be completed in the next two years.
The CM also spoke about state, national and international football and other sporting events that the state has and will be hosting as well as his government’s scholarship scheme and financial rewards for athletes across all sports.
“This trip to France won’t be a one-off. It is part of a larger picture. Infrastructure, support for clubs and associations and athlete scholarships are all part of it,” he added.
Others present on the occasion were Director of Sports & Youth Affairs Dikki D Shira, other senior civil servants, members of the MFA and Shillong Sports Association.
Meghalaya contingent:
Babitlang Wahlang, Jovialstar L Lyngkhoi, Meshanbanjop Sumer, Badondor Marbaniang, Richborn Kharpuri, Bipiush G Marak, Arkini Laloo, Pynshailang L Nonglait, Pynkmenlang Marbaniang, Rimankhraw Kharumnuid (C), Nickyboy Swer, Pyrkhatshaphrang Sumer, Dawansalanmi Malang, Easter Salchang Ch Sangma, Franky Dkhar, Chibaitki Pamthied, Riborlang L Lyngkhoi, Banlam Kupar Rynjah, Banpliebok Khongjoh, Mebannangkiew Thabah, RT Hanson Pdang, Saindur Rynjah, Ricky Kharkongor, Mebanlamlynti Masharing, Deibormame Tongper, Emanbha Marbaniang, Pasborlang Khonglikong, Kenneth W Jyrwa
Meghalaya officials: Sunesh Syiem (manager), Bobby L Nongbet (head coach), Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh (assistant coach), Jeffrey Warlarpih (assistant coach), Iaikyntiewlang Nongkynrih (assistant coach), Lucky Mary Marbaniang (physio), Rupamon Nongbet (doctor)
(TSR photo)