Shillong: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved a 45-year lease of 19.99 acres of land at Mawkhanu in New Shillong to NorthEast United FC to set up a football academy, with the club expected to invest Rs 40-50 crore in sports infrastructure.
Announcing the decision, Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the academy would help bridge the gap between grassroots football and professional training, enabling young players from Meghalaya to compete at the international level.
The proposed investment will cover three football grounds, accommodation facilities and other infrastructure.
The move follows discussions between the state government and NorthEast United FC, owned by actor John Abraham, who is also the brand ambassador of Meghalaya Tourism. According to Shylla, the club had earlier expressed interest in shifting its management from Guwahati to Shillong.
“After thorough discussion, we have decided to give them 45 years of 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.
Under Mission Football, the government has extended Rs 3 crore to Shillong Lajong FC and Rs 30 lakh to Mawlai Sports Club. The state also provides financial assistance to clubs based on the league in which they compete, offering Rs 3 crore to teams in I-League 1, Rs 1 crore to those in I-League 2 and Rs 50 lakh to teams in I-League 3.
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 greater exposure.
NorthEast United FC has previously used Shillong as a venue for some of its matches. The proposed academy is expected to strengthen the state’s football ecosystem and attract more major sporting events to the city.
The minister 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.
The proposed academy is also expected to complement the state’s plans to develop a dedicated football stadium, which Shylla described as the biggest of its kind in Meghalaya.
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