NorthEast United FC and Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) on Monday signed a landmark Memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the club and the APFA collaborate for the football development in Arunachal Pradesh.
The agreement was signed by Shri Pema Khandu, the Hon. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh & APFA President, and John Abraham, owner of NorthEast United FC. The agreement focuses on football development in Arunachal Pradesh with the technical expertise of NorthEast United FC.
Other key figures present were Shri Chowna Mein, Hon. Deputy Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Kipa Ajay, Hon. Secretary of APFA and AIFF Treasurer, and Mandar Tamhane, CEO of NorthEast United FC.
Arunachal Pradesh Football Association is setting up two residential academies — Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia and Namsai — and NorthEast United FC will provide technical support in setting up the academies.
The key aspects of the agreement are Scouting & Player Detection, Day Boarding Academies, Residential Academy, Competitions and Coach Education.
For scouting & player detection, the club will share scouting methodology and structure and the club’s Head of Youth Development will be stationed at the venue during the scouting process.
In terms of day boarding academies, the club will design the coaching curriculum & training model for various phases — Foundation (U-7, U-9, U-11) and Intermediate (U-13, U-15) and timely execution of the same.
The club’s technical expertise in setting up residential academies will play a pivotal role as the club will share its knowledge for coaching curriculum, player & staff recruitment, operational guidance for the academy’s day-to-day running, S&C and nutritional advice, structuring the medical department of the academy, and player welfare.
The club had collaborated with the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association to host the Baby League (U-7 & U-9). The league will be expanded to other age groups (U-11 to U-15) and called the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Premier League.
Another vital aspect of football development is coach education and NorthEast United FC’s First-Team Assistant Coach & Head of Youth Development will contribute to coach education. At the same time, the club will assist in conducting a Certificate Coaching Course License with the support of the All India Football Federation.
The partnership that covers all the bases for the football development in Arunachal Pradesh promises a bright future as NorthEast United FC takes a step forward in its vision for football in the region.
