Shillong, August 3: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled ambitious plans to upscale Meghalaya’s sporting landscape, launching Mission Football 2.0, a revamped scheme to promote football in the state.
The government will introduce a ‘Local Football Club Support Scheme’, offering grants up to Rs. 3 Crore for Elite Clubs and Rs. 15 Lakh for Grassroots/Intermediate Clubs.
Mission Football 2.0 aims to improve football infrastructure, with a residential academy in collaboration with North East United Football Club (NEUFC) at Mawkhanu in New Shillong Township.
The existing Mission Football scheme has transformed the soccer landscape, with 111 Grassroots Centres, 8000 children receiving training, and over 25,000 participating in tournaments.
The government has invested nearly Rs. 10 Cr. in football development, yielding noteworthy results, including the Meghalaya State Team’s runners-up position in the Santosh Trophy 2023.
Since the launch of the State Sports Policy in 2018, the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs has made significant strides in sports infrastructure, talent identification, and event hosting.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong hosted the first match of the 133rd Durand Cup, marking a significant moment for the state’s sporting history.
The stadium underwent accelerated development, including construction of new stands, seat fitting, and renovation of facilities to meet international event guidelines.
