KOLKATA: In their 10 years in the Indian Super League, NorthEast United FC - enjoying one of the most vociferous fans' support in the country - have reached the playoffs stage just twice and have had just that to show for their best performance in the league.
However, this time, they began the domestic season with a bang, adding their first trophy to the cabinet with a title-winning Durand Cup campaign. While coach Juan Pedro Benali and players deserve applause for the superlative campaign, appreciation should be meted out to the new administrative team that has been actively working towards this goal for more than a year.
And at the helm of NEUFC's affairs is Mandar Tamhare, who was appointed CEO of the club in April 2023.
Tamhare is no stranger to the Indian football ecosystem having played the same role at Bengaluru FC for a decade and taken them to the heights of success with multiple I-League titles and a run into AFC Cup Final.
However, choosing the Highlanders over some other ISL clubs was a well-thought decision and with a long-term goal, as Tamhare explained during a freewheeling chat with the TOI.
"We are not representing one city or one state. For that matter, we are representing eight states which I think is an additional responsibility. And when almost 60-62% players in ISL, I-League, second and third-division I-League are represented by players from this region, it's an even bigger responsibility," began Tamhane.
"For me, that was the reason why I felt I should take up this offer at NEUFC because it's more challenging. If we can contribute even 50% of the work that we did at Bengaluru with regards to grassroots work, I think it will take Indian football a long way."
And the former BFC CEO has already put in place a long-term plan for NEUFC to nurture the raw and immense football talent in the region.
"In the last 15 months, we have reached out to three state govts and are working together at a level where we can make meaningful contributions. For example, we are working with the Meghalaya govt and they are very enthusiastic about football in general. And we have signed a MoU with the govt and have been given 15 acres of land just outside Shillong to build our own residential Centre of Excellence for football and maybe next year, we will be able to start work on the academy," he explained.
Admitting his joy at having their vision being supported by a state govt, Tamhane further added, "The performance of the first team will always be our flagship goal but as a club how we can make these contributions at grassroots, in youth development and in the player pathway across the eight states is the plan.
"We want to create small academies - what could be called satellite centres - where boys and girls belonging to U7, U9 and U11 age groups can come and train during the day and go back home. And once we have the Centre of Excellence in Meghalaya, the best players in the age groups from the eight states will graduate into U13, U15 and U17 residential setup in Shillong. So that's the larger goal which will maybe get done within the next five years."
While NEUFC start their eleventh season at ISL on Monday with the goal of repeating their Durand Cup feat, the whole of northeast will not just wait for the Highlanders' success in the field, but will also be eager to see the club and its CEO's vision replicated into success for the entire football-crazy region.
