MoS Raksha Khadse visits NorthEast United FC, backs grassroots football push
Synopsis
Union Minister Raksha Khadse's visit to NorthEast United FC put a spotlight on one of Indian club football's more methodical grassroots operations — a nationwide scouting drive that funnelled nearly 60 players to Guwahati trials for the club's Under-18 and reserve setups, with the North East at its heart.
Key Takeaways
Raksha Khadse , Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, visited NorthEast United FC in Shillong on 31 May .
Club CEO Mandar Tamhane and Technical Director Naushad Moosa briefed the minister on the club's youth development and talent identification framework.
Nearly 60 players were shortlisted for final selection trials in Guwahati through a nationwide scouting drive.
Selected players will form the core of the club's Under-18 and reserve team setup.
Khadse emphasised the North East's standing as one of India's strongest football talent pools and called for sustained investment in coaching and infrastructure.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse on 31 May visited NorthEast United FC in Shillong, meeting the club's management, coaching staff, and young footballers to review its grassroots talent development model. The minister praised the club's structured approach to identifying and nurturing football talent from across India, with a particular focus on the North East region.
Who Was Present
The interaction was attended by Mandar Tamhane, Chief Executive Officer of NorthEast United FC; Rohit Thorat; and Naushad Moosa, Technical Director and Reserve Team Head Coach, along with members of the club's management and coaching staff. Club leadership walked the minister through their youth development philosophy, talent identification framework, and long-term vision for building sustainable pathways for young footballers.
The Scouting Model
The club's talent scouting initiative, led by Naushad Moosa, involves coaches travelling across the country to identify promising young players. Prospects are sourced through the club's network of coaches and former players, youth competitions organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and continuous tracking of players representing India at youth national team levels.
As part of the selection process, nearly 60 promising young players were invited to Guwahati for final trials. Those selected are expected to form the core of the club's Under-18 and reserve team setup, reinforcing NorthEast United FC's long-term player development pipeline.
What the Minister Said
'The future of Indian football depends on our ability to identify talent early, provide quality coaching and create structured opportunities for progression. Initiatives that combine grassroots scouting, athlete development and long-term planning are critical for strengthening India's football ecosystem,' Khadse said during the visit.
The minister noted that the North East remains one of India's most prolific sporting regions, consistently producing exceptional football talent. She stressed that sustained investment in coaching, infrastructure, and scientific athlete development would help unlock even greater potential from the region.
Broader Government Commitment
Khadse reiterated the government's commitment to promoting grassroots sports, strengthening athlete development systems, and expanding opportunities for young sportspersons nationwide. The Shillong visit formed part of a wider tour of Meghalaya and the North East, during which she reviewed sports infrastructure, athlete development initiatives, and youth-focused programmes across the region.
Point of View
Not just national team results. The club's model — scouting through AIFF youth competitions and former-player networks — is pragmatic, but the real test is whether players identified here reach the ISL first team in meaningful numbers. The North East has long been India's most fertile football region; the gap has always been in converting raw talent into professional careers, not in finding it.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did MoS Raksha Khadse visit NorthEast United FC?
Raksha Khadse visited NorthEast United FC in Shillong on 31 May to review the club's grassroots talent development model and interact with its management, coaching staff, and young footballers. The visit was part of her broader tour of Meghalaya and the North East to assess sports infrastructure and youth development programmes.
What is NorthEast United FC's talent identification process?
The club's scouting initiative, led by Technical Director Naushad Moosa, involves coaches travelling nationwide to identify promising players through the club's coach-and-former-player network, AIFF youth competitions, and monitoring of India youth national team squads. Nearly 60 players were shortlisted for final trials in Guwahati.
What will happen to the players selected in the trials?
Players selected from the Guwahati trials are expected to form the core of NorthEast United FC's Under-18 and reserve team setup, strengthening the club's long-term player development pathway toward the first team.
What did Raksha Khadse say about Indian football?
Khadse said the future of Indian football depends on early talent identification, quality coaching, and structured progression pathways. She called initiatives that combine grassroots scouting with long-term planning critical for strengthening India's football ecosystem.
Why is the North East significant for Indian football?
The North East has consistently produced some of India's most talented footballers and is widely regarded as the country's strongest football region. Khadse noted that sustained investment in coaching, infrastructure, and scientific athlete development could unlock even greater potential from the area.
