Shillong, May 18: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday inaugurated the Dare to Dream Academy, a football development center established by Dream Foundation, in collaboration with Assam Rifles Public School, BBFS Residential Academy, Indian Football Foundation, and Baichung Bhutia Football School. The academy, located at SAI, NEHU, is the first residential football academy in the North East region of India.
So happy to learn that the collective venture has trained 6 footballers from Meghalaya who have played in the Indian League & is growing from
nurturing 6 footballers to over 50 from across the North East today. This is a promising start & I am certain that this will bring out…— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 18, 2023
During his speech, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed his gratitude to Dream Foundation and Baichung Bhutia for selecting Shillong, in the state of Meghalaya, as the location for the academy. He emphasized that this honor not only showcases the potential of the youth in Meghalaya and the entire North East region but also highlights their talent in sports.
Chief Minister Sangma highlighted the government of Meghalaya’s efforts in identifying sporting talents through the STAR Talent Identification program. Over the past few years, approximately 5,000 children across Meghalaya have been scientifically tested on international standards. The talent identification program aims to recognize promising athletes at a young age and provide them with curated training programs to enhance their skills.
“We hope that a sportsperson from Meghalaya will win a medal for the country in the 2036 Olympics. To realize this vision, the STAR Talent Identification Program was launched to identify sports talents and provide quality training based on international standards. We have also initiated the Coaches and Athletes Cash Award Scheme to encourage their development,” stated Chief Minister Sangma.
He further acknowledged that sometimes politicians, bureaucrats, and society as a whole fail to understand and support the dreams and aspirations of the youth. Therefore, the government is now formulating policies and programs based on the desires of the youth and providing support in sports, music, and other areas.
Chief Minister Sangma expressed his belief in the tremendous energy of the youth and the importance of channeling it in the right direction. He viewed the academy as a significant opportunity for the region’s youth to excel in football. Additionally, he expressed his delight at the Dream Foundation’s plans to establish more centers of excellence in various fields.
“The North East is a powerhouse of athletes, but the boys and girls in this region require the right nurturing, training, and infrastructure. With centers of excellence like this, we will be able to showcase our strength and talent,” added Chief Minister Sangma.
He also highlighted the economic significance of sports and the government’s role in supporting and promoting it. Chief Minister Sangma emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to make sports a viable industry that creates employment opportunities.
Baichung Bhutia, in his speech, provided insights into the BBFS’ Foundation program, which offers high-quality football coaching for grassroots and youth levels. Children up to the age of 17 can receive training at any of BBFS’ centers across India. Bhutia mentioned that many players who graduated from BBFS and Residential Academies are now playing for clubs, with a significant number hailing from Manipur, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. He emphasized that the Residential Academy concept encourages young talents to pursue professional football careers without neglecting their studies.
Currently, the Dare to Dream Academy accommodates 50 young boys from across the North East region, providing them with a nurturing environment to hone their football skills and fulfill their dreams.
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