Shillong: The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) has officially launched its dedicated MFA Academy at Polo Ground in Shillong, marking a landmark initiative to develop young football talent and strengthen the state’s grassroots football ecosystem. The launch, coinciding with the MFA’s golden jubilee year, underscores the association’s long-term vision for producing professional players capable of competing at national and international levels.
The academy’s inaugural phase saw enthusiastic response, with initial trials attracting over 300 children. From these, 60 talented boys were selected for the first batch—30 in the under-12 category and 30 in the under-14 category. Training is now underway under a team of experienced youth coaches including Playerson Syiemlieh, Amit Rai, Subir Dey, Seibor Sana, and Bobby L Nongbet.
MFA President Hamletson Dohling, who led the launch alongside senior members including Vice-President Cliff Nongrum, expressed high ambitions for the programme. “We aim to see more footballers from Meghalaya reach the Indian Super League and represent the national team,” Dohling stated, urging the selected recruits to remain “disciplined, focused, and dedicated.”
Nongrum highlighted the need for sustained support, noting, “There are only a few players from Meghalaya in the ISL, compared to Mizoram and Manipur. We need to hand-hold the children until they reach the senior level.”
The academy focuses on structured training programmes emphasizing discipline, dedication, and balanced education. It includes provisions for scholarships and accommodation for trainees from outside Shillong, with ongoing infrastructure development at the MFA Ground to transform it into a full residential facility. Plans are also in place to expand the programme to include girls in future batches.
This initiative builds on Meghalaya’s rich football heritage spanning five decades, addressing the gap in talent progression and representation at higher levels. By providing professional coaching, competitive exposure, and a clear pathway from grassroots to elite football, the MFA Academy aims to position Meghalaya as a stronger contender in Indian football.
The launch represents a significant step toward long-term player development, youth empowerment, and regional sporting excellence in the Northeast.
Tags: MFA Academy Launch, Meghalaya Football Association, Shillong Football Academy, Youth Football Talent Meghalaya, Hamletson Dohling, Cliff Nongrum, Under-12 Under-14 Trials, Northeast Football Development, Grassroots Football Meghalaya, Indian Super League Aspirants
Hashtags: #MFAAacademy #MeghalayaFootball #Shillong #FootballAcademy #YouthTalent #NortheastSports #MeghalayaSports #ISL #FootballDevelopment #GoldenJubileeMFA
