The proposed academy at Mawkhanu will feature three football grounds and residential facilities, creating a long-term pathway for Northeast talent to reach professional football.
Kolkata, October 28: NorthEast United FC have received a major boost to their long-term football development plans, with the Meghalaya Cabinet approving a 45-year lease of 19.99 acres of land at Mawkhanu in New Shillong for the establishment of a football academy.
With a proposed investment of ₹40–50 crore, the project is set to create a dedicated football development facility featuring three football grounds, accommodation and other supporting infrastructure.
The academy aims to identify and nurture promising footballers from the Northeast, providing young players with access to better facilities, coaching and opportunities to progress to professional football.
The proposed academy is expected to strengthen NorthEast United FC’s grassroots development efforts and build a more structured pathway for emerging talent in the region.
The club has highlighted its continued work through Mission Football and its support for local clubs, with the new initiative intended to bridge the gap between grassroots football and the professional game.
NorthEast United FC also expressed gratitude to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the Meghalaya Cabinet and Commissioner and Secretary of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Dr. Vijay Kumar, for their vision and support in making the project possible.
The club described the academy as a long-term commitment to discovering and developing the Northeast’s finest footballing talent.
The project could become an important addition to the region’s football infrastructure, offering young players a clearer route from grassroots football to the highest levels of the game.
For NorthEast United FC, the proposed academy represents an opportunity to deepen their connection with the region they represent while contributing to the development of the next generation of Indian footballers.
The initiative also reflects the broader ambition of strengthening the Northeast’s place in Indian football through sustained investment in young talent and development infrastructure.
At a time when Indian football continues to look for stronger pathways to develop homegrown talent, initiatives like this could play an important role in shaping the country’s future. By investing in grassroots infrastructure and providing young players with access to proper coaching and facilities, NorthEast United FC’s proposed academy could help turn the Northeast’s rich footballing culture into a stronger pipeline of talent for Indian football. The real impact, however, will lie in how effectively this investment translates into opportunities for young footballers to progress from local grounds to the professional stage.
NorthEast United FC Announce Football Academy Project in Meghalaya
Read more about Indian Football
