Shillong, Sept 20: History is being created in Meghalaya with state capital Shillong getting selected to host the country’s biggest football tournament- the Indian Super League.
The Home matches of the NorthEast United Football Club are going to be played out in Meghalaya’s soccer crazy city and the venue being the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Polo, Shillong.
Northeast United FC CEO, Mandar Tamhane made the announcement 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 contribution to the football ecosystem be it from the grassroots and residential academies,” said Tamhane.
Recalling 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, the NEUFC CEO said, “You do not see such love and enthusiasm for football, we only see this for cricket,” he said.
He further said Shillong could be the next capital of Indian Football.
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 North East or the national team,” he stressed.
Tamhane said the Indian Super League (ISL) team conducted a survey to see if the facilities at the JN Stadium were good enough to host ISL matches during the semifinal match, adding that the team was satisfied with ‘almost’ everything. They also gave few recommendations to the State government so the stadium can hold 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.
