MFA launches academy to nurture future talent

The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) marked a historic milestone on Saturday with the launch of its MFA Academy at Polo Ground, Shillong. The initiative, coinciding with the association’s golden jubilee year, aims to strengthen the football ecosystem in the state and groom players who will represent Meghalaya in the years ahead. The academy has inducted 60 boys, evenly divided between the U-12 and U-14 categories, selected from over 300 children who turned up for trials. Experienced youth coaches including Playerson Syiemlieh, Amit Rai, Subir Dey, Seibor Sana, and Bobby L Nongbet will guide the youngsters on their journey.
MFA president Hamletson Dohling, addressing players, families and supporters at the launch, said the association’s vision is to see more footballers from Meghalaya reach the ISL and the national team. He urged the children, aged between 10 and 13, to remain disciplined and focused on their football dreams while balancing academics.
Infrastructural work is underway at the MFA ground to transform the academy into a full-fledged facility. MFA vice-president Cliff Nongrum, a former state-level goalkeeper, revealed plans to introduce residential options, scholarships, and comprehensive training, while also opening the academy to girls in the future.
“There are only a few players from Meghalaya in the ISL compared to Mizoram and Manipur,” Nongrum noted, stressing the need to “hand-hold the children until they reach the senior level.”