From Meghalaya to Lyon: Young footballers set for World-Class Training

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 9, 2025

From the global pitch in Paris to the elite fields of Lyon, the football journey of Meghalaya’s youth is gaining momentum. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma shared during the April 8 felicitation for Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School that the Under-18 State Football Team of Meghalaya has been invited for a 20-day elite training camp at the Olympique Lyonnais Academy – one of Europe’s premier football institutions. The camp is scheduled to commence on June 5, 2025.

Calling it a significant step forward for football in the state, the Chief Minister said the exposure to professional European training will be transformative for the players, both technically and mentally. The training program will include daily access to the academy’s facilities, guided tours, and friendly matches against regional clubs.

Reaffirming the government’s long-term vision, the Chief Minister underlined the Chief Minister’s Football Mission (CMFM) as a cornerstone of the state’s sports policy. The mission, he said, is focused on making Meghalaya the “Football Capital of India.”

He also laid out key infrastructure projects that are in various stages of implementation under CMFM:

The Mawkhanu Sports Complex, with an estimated cost of Rs 732 crore, is poised to become the largest football stadium in the Northeast with a 40,000-seat capacity, expected to be completed by 2028.

The P.A. Sangma Sports Complex is under development at a cost of Rs 127.7 crore. It will be India’s largest football stadium built using pre-engineered technology and will house two indoor halls catering to swimming, badminton, table tennis, and more. These are expected to be completed by 2026.

Meghalaya CM felicitates Myngken school football team for securing 3rd in Indo-French Football Tournament

The JN Sports Complex is undergoing renovation with a Rs 100 crore investment. Once completed, it will feature a natural football ground and a synthetic track with a seating capacity of 15,000.

At Wahiajer, a Rs 64.4 crore stadium project is underway to create an artificial football turf and an athletic track with a capacity of 5,000.

The Ampati Stadium, also valued at Rs 64.4 crore, is nearing completion.

Since 2022, the state has engaged more than 35,000 athletes annually and hosted over 10 national and international sporting events.