Shillong, Oct 28: The Meghalaya cabinet has approved the lease of 19.99 acres of land at Mawkhanu in New Shillong to Indian Super League club NorthEast United FC for 45 years to set up a football academy.
The club is expected to invest something in the region of Rs 40-50 crore at the site.
Announcing the decision, government spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla, who is also the Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, said the proposed academy would help bridge the gap between grassroots football and professional training, enabling young players from the state to compete at the international level.
He said the proposed investment would include three football grounds, accommodation facilities and other infrastructure.
The move follows discussions between the state government and NEUFC, whose owner, actor John Abraham, is also the brand ambassador of Meghalaya Tourism. According to Shylla, the club had previously expressed interest in shifting its management from Guwahati to Shillong.
“After thorough discussion, we have decided to give them 45-year lease,” Shylla said, adding that the government had initially considered a 30-year lease, while the club had sought 60 years.
Shylla said the academy would complement the government’s existing initiatives to promote football, including the Mission Football programme, support for local clubs and investment in grassroots development. The government has also established nearly 125 grassroots football centres across Meghalaya, he said.
Shylla said the next step was to develop professional academies that could provide young players with advanced training and exposure.
NorthEast United FC has previously used Shillong as a venue for some of its matches. With the proposed academy, the government hopes to strengthen the state’s football ecosystem and attract more major sporting events to the city.
An agreement between NEUFC and the state government on a new academy was signed two and a half years ago. Then, last month, Abraham claimed that the academy will be the best in the country and his goal is to produce medal-winning athletes for India at the Olympics.
The minister also said the government remained open to supporting local clubs and other organisations interested in developing football infrastructure.
“We are not stopping or closing the door for our local teams. They can always come forward with their proposals and if the proposals are good enough the government is ready to support them,” he said.
(File photo of John Abraham)
