Officials with young footballers at NEUFC Trials in Kohima on May 8.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 8
Over a hundred aspiring footballers took part in the NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) trials in Kohima, held in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and organised by the Kohima District Football Association (KDFA).
The two-day scouting event commenced at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on Thursday.
The NEUFC is scouting for fresh talent in two categories — the Under-17 team, which includes players born between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, and the Reserve Team, which includes those born between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008.
NEUFC coach Jeevan Jayaraj informed that approximately 80 players across both categories had turned up on the first day of the trials. He said that the club was looking for young football talent and potential, and that there was no fixed number of selections as the focus remained on quality.
Nearly 200 players had registered for the Kohima leg of the trials, although the turnout had been slightly lower than expected. The final trial in Kohima will be held on Friday.
According to Jayaraj, 10 to 15 players from each category would be shortlisted for the next round, which is scheduled to be held in Guwahati later this month. He mentioned that the final trial phase would last between four to six days, after which the selections would be officially announced.
The final trial in Kohima would remain open to new participants on Day 2 (Friday), offering another opportunity for aspiring footballers to make an impression.
Jayaraj also shared that NEUFC would provide comprehensive support to those who made it to the final selections, including schooling, accommodation, food, and a stipend. He noted that the club even arranged tutors for the players’ education, and that Reserve Team players received a higher stipend.
The duration of contracts for selected players, he said, would vary depending on individual talent and potential.
He added that NEUFC had already covered five Northeastern states in its ongoing talent hunt, and was steadily building a squad.
