Arunachal Pradesh Boosts Sports with Football Development Initiative

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh has marked a major step towards developing the sports sector, especially football, through a five-year memorandum of understanding between the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) and JA Football Private Limited that operates North East United FC (NEUFC).

The agreement, signed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in his capacity as APFA president and NEUFC owner John Abraham, was witnessed by All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey.

The collaboration is aimed at developing football infrastructure, and training programs, and nurturing young talent in the state. As per the MoU, NEUFC is to provide scouting for talented players, grassroots programs and soccer schools, and building youth academies.

All these things will also include coaching, fitness, nutrition, technical expertise for the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Premier League, and education among local coaches. In that regard, APFA will arrange all the infrastructures technically and logistically required to accomplish these programs.

Chief Minister Khandu thanked John Abraham and his team for their commitment to nurturing football talent in Arunachal Pradesh.

He said the state's youth has immense potential and should be trained from an early age. "If we catch them young and train them, we are confident to produce world-class players from our state," he said.

John Abraham promised that NEUFC would utilize its experience and resources to scout, train, and hone the potential football talent in the region. At the same event, Khandu laid the foundation stones for two major projects in the Namsai district, worth Rs 105 crore. 

This includes the augmentation of the water supply system with a capacity of 7.80 million liters per day and a multi-sports facility with an outdoor stadium.

He appreciated Namsai for its fast development and appreciated the local community and leaders for their cooperation in developing the district. He also announced plans to set up a medical college, nursing college, Fishery College, convention center, and football academy in Namsai. Khandu also spoke about the increasing problem of drug abuse in the district, appealing to community leaders, elders, and students to be part of the government's efforts to combat this menace.

He said that sports and cultural platforms, such as the ongoing Arunachal Rang Mahotsava, could be used as a positive outlet for the youth and divert them from destructive habits. Moving forward, the Chief Minister announced two football academies to be set up with the help of NEUFC. These academies are to be located at Yupia Golden Jubilee Stadium and Namsai, once the proposed stadium comes into existence.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, legislators Zingnu Namchoom, Likha Soni, and other dignitaries were present on this occasion, marking an important milestone in the state's journey to empower its youth through sports.

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