The 8th Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy, hosted in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, has emerged as more than just a state-level tournament—it has become a gateway to national-level football opportunities for young boys and girls from the North East.
The North East Sports Foundation (NESF), in collaboration with Prithivi Sports & Events and with the support of the Department of Sports, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, successfully concluded the Football Talent Identification and Scholarship Program 2025. This program was launched as part of the 8th Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy, one of the state’s most prestigious inter-district tournaments, hosted earlier this year in Pasighat, East Siang.
Scouting & Trials:
Following statewide scouting during the tournament by Prithivi Sports & Events a Guwahati based scouting agency, 64 young footballers (boys and girls) were shortlisted for a three-day advanced trial camp held at Hawk Football Academy, Guwahati. Participants were selected based on technical ability, fitness, game intelligence, and discipline.
About Hawk Football Academy, Guwahati
Hawk Football Academy is one of Northeast India’s emerging residential football centers. With modern facilities, structured training methodologies, and access to regional leagues, Hawk offers:
- Technical & tactical training by licensed coaches
- Classroom learning modules for football theory
- Regular inter-academy matches and exposure to professional environments
It has proven to be a reliable stepping stone for youth players from underrepresented areas seeking structured development.
FC Juntos Scholarship Program – Bangalore
Among the top performers, 7 boys were offered residential scholarships at FC Juntos Academy, Bangalore – a high-performance training institution that blends Indian and international football pedagogy.
About FC Juntos Academy, Bangalore
FC Juntos focuses on:
- High-performance youth development
- International training methods
- Regular participation in Karnataka State League
- Player monitoring via video analysis and GPS fitness tracking
Players who confirmed their joining:
- Panam Tasung – East Siang
- Gida Gagung – Kra Daadi
- Kalen Mize – East Siang
- Mohan Bori – East Siang
- Sanju Bori – East Siang
Note: Out of 7, only Panam Tasung and Gida Gagung continued with the program. Others opted out post the first week.
7 Players Selected for Rajasthan Youth League 2025: The Rajasthan Youth League is one of India’s most competitive youth football tournaments, acting as a bridge to national clubs and scouts.
About Rajasthan Youth League
- Organized annually in Rajasthan
- Platform for U-14, U-17, and U-19 boys and girls
- Attended by I-League and ISL scouts
- Structured league matches across multiple locations
Selected Players:
- Nabam Tamar – Kra Daadi
- Meye Maying – Upper Subansiri
- Agam Thalai – Lohit
- Edyamso Pul – Lohit
- Bewinso Pul – Lohit
- Geni Taying – East Siang
- Brainy Kri – Lohit
These players are undergoing final document verification and are scheduled to depart in August 2025.
Elite Girls Residential Training Program at Hawk (Starting 5th August 2025)
Out of 12 shortlisted girls, 9 were selected for a fully funded elite training program at Hawk Football Academy, Guwahati.
Selected Girls:
| Sl. No. | Name | District |
| 1 | Niara Singkhom | Upper Subansiri |
| 2 | Dana Gandhi | Capital Complex |
| 3 | Anjapi Molo | Dibang Valley |
| 4 | Dechin Yangton | Tawang |
| 5 | Rinchin Drema | Tawang |
| 6 | Mahilu Tayang | Lohit |
| 7 | Bebo Tayang | Lohit |
| 8 | Jenemlu Kri | Lohit |
| 9 | Sunaisi Ngadong | Lohit |
Program Features:
- Daily training with certified coaches
- Full residential support with academic assistance
- Participation in GSA U-15 Youth League
- 100% scholarship funded by NESF
- Opportunity for international training exposure in Portugal
Parental Consent & Future Steps”: All selected athletes are required to submit Parental Consent Forms by 31st July 2025 to proceed with scholarship and travel arrangements.
From Pasighat to Guwahati, Bangalore, and Rajasthan, this year’s program has enabled Arunachal’s footballers—both boys and girls—to gain access to structured pathways and national-level exposure. NESF remains committed to empowering young talent from remote regions through professional training, education, and long-term development opportunities.
