The next Capital of Indian Football: NEUFC CEO

Shillong, Sept 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) has conducted the necessary surveys and has given green light that the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong is ready to host the Indian Super League home matches of the NorthEast United FC.

This exciting development was shared by Northeast United FC CEO, Mandar Tamhane, while speaking to reporters in Shillong on Thursday. “For NorthEast United FC is not just to play football in other parts of North East but to make a meaningful contribute to the football ecosystem be it from the grassroots and residential academies,” said Tamhane.

Lauding the craze for football in Shillong, the NEUFC CEO said, “You do not see such love and enthusiasm for football, we only see this for cricket” as he mentioned on the excitement of the Shillong football fans during the recent concluded Durand Cup in which he also noted the contribution of the State government in setting up fan-parks across the city.

“Shillong could be the next capital of Indian Football” – a statement by Tamhane is like a music to the ears of tens of thousands of football lovers in Meghalaya.

With that kind of support and backing from the home crowd, the CEO further said that it is important for NEUFC to come play the home matches here in Shillong. “Any team needs to get this kind of support, be it Northeast or the national team,” he stressed.

Mandar Tamhane then disclosed that during the semifinal match which was being held in Shillong in which Shillong Lajong took on NEUFC, the team from the Indian Super League (ISL) conducted a survey to see if the facilities at the JN Stadium were good enough to host ISL matches.

Satisfied with ‘almost’ everything, the team from the Indian Super League has written down couple of recommendations to the State government so the JN Stadium will be 101 per cent good for the ISL matches.

“The ISL is very very cooperative with having the matches here (Shillong) and I think before the end of this season maybe in the month of February-March, NorthEast United could be playing two-three home matches here at the JN Stadium,” he informed.

However, not disclosing on the couple of recommendations from the ISL to the State government, Tamhane only mentioned that there are only “small and minor” changes needed to be made before hosting ISL matches. He also explained technical front like the uplinking of the Satellite as the ISL does direct uplinking since ISL games are broadcast LIVE in more than 130 countries and that aspect cannot be compromised.

He added that the few minor suggestions sent by the ISL team is that there should be a structural change in the JN Stadium to fit in with the camera height.

“These structural changes which normally take time need to be addressed and once they are being taken care then we are good to host with the Indian Super League here,” he shared.

The NorthEast United CEO also complimented on the natural tuft of the JN Stadium stating that the “grass is very suitable for cold weather conditions like Shillong”.

Adding on to the statement made by the CEO, the NorthEast United FC forward and Assam’s shining star, Parthib Gogoi, said that is a huge difference when playing in Guwahati and in Shillong. He said, “The crowd are more here than in Guwahati” as he mentioned the importance of playing in a huge home crowd as “it gives us the confidence and the desire to win”.

Redeem Talang, the only Khasi player in the NorthEast United FC squad this season, mentioned that he longs to play at home in front of the Shillong crowd. Talang, mostly a player who comes off the bench, said he is happy to be part of the team and to contribute to Northeast United’s attack.

Also Read: Meghalaya Govt issues advisory to ensure road safety for students

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