John Abraham turns football spotlight on north-east

India’s north-east belt is football country, stresses John

July 23, 2014 05:14 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 06:50 pm IST - MUMBAI:

North East United FC co-owner John Abraham talking to media during the India Super league player draft, in Mumbai on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Photo: Vivek Bendre

North East United FC co-owner John Abraham talking to media during the India Super league player draft, in Mumbai on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Photo: Vivek Bendre

John Abraham is clear about priorities as co-owner of North-East United FC in the Hero Indian Super League. “We do not mind getting beaten in the first two years. Development at the grassroots is important, success is secondary. Our focus is on developing north-east, which is neglected by authorities. We feel north-east is the hotbed of talent, 70 per cent of footballers come from there. We will select only players from there”.

Stressing on the difference in focus between the Guwahati franchise and other seven teams figuring in HISL, the actor said: “Other teams are city specific, we are only region-based side. We are not backed by any corporate, it is a team of purists for whom football comes from the heart. For us, it means the seven states, called the seven sisters and one brother, in effect eight states. In the first year our base is Guwahati, the second year in Shillong, then Aizawl.”

NEU FC have retained players from I-League club Shillong Lajong for the ISL. “Our U-19 group from Lajong is a talented lot, they will get better playing with foreigners,” said John, who had submitted a joint bid with Lajong for the new event promoted by IMG-R and Star India. “We are signing young foreigners for the ISL, our U-19 group can learn from them. We want to show them that they are not a neglected lot. I want them to look great, play great.”

India’s north-east belt is football country, stressed John. “It is time for people to realise that football is the most followed sport here. Cricket is the sport for the rest of the country. I’m proud that two of India’s most famous players belong here, Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chetri. The highest attendance per match is in the north-east, you may be surprised to know that north-east has the highest match ticket rate.  12000 people come for Lajong matches.”

Spain’s 2010 World Cupper and Euro 2008 winner Juan Capdevila as the marquee player. “ISL is a tournament where Indian players will get a platform to display their talent with the best in the world. Juan is a great guy, will show him the good parts. We are also proud Indians and want to keep our integrity.”

The franchise opted for 14 players from north-eastern belt during the two-day players’ draft, as the following list reveals--- Pritam Kumar Singh, Milan Singh, Robin Gurung, Alan Deory, Redeem Tlang, Semilen Doungel, David Ngaihte, Kunzang Bhutia, Jibon Singh, Durga Boro, Aibor Khongjee, Zodingliana Ralte, TP Rehnesh and Boithang Haokip.

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