Young footballers in action during the 10-day summer soccer camp organized by Guwahati City FC in association with Shillong Lajong FC at Gauhati University ground in Guwahati

For someone like Farhan Khan who has travelled hundreds of miles to attend a summer football camp in Guwahati, the game is life.

It might sound unusual, but 18-year-old Farhan has come to Guwahati all the way from Chhattisgarh to learn the magic of football. “I have always been playing football though my neighbours are more into cricket and basketball. I hope I will get to learn new things here under the guidance of experienced coaches,” Farhan told The News Mill after attending the 10-day summer soccer camp organized by the Guwahati City FC at Gauhati University field.

Not just Farhan, there are more than 140 youths who have thronged the ground from different parts of the region. Many of them have struggled to bear the fare for their transportation and accommodation but for the love of the game and their ambition to live with the game have brought them here.

“We are from poor financial background. But we want to learn and play the game,” said Bigintha Ramsiyari, a trainee from Baksa.

The summer camp is the first initiative of Guwahati City FC which was well supported by Shillong Lajong FC. “We are grateful to Shillong Lajong team and specially its owner Larsing Ming Sawyan who has been very kind to us. We are also lucky to have coaches like Birendra Thapa and Boby Nongbet who are undoubtedly one of the best in the region besides our very own KK Singh,” said Kaustav Chakrabarty, director of Guwahati City FC.

Guwahati City FC Summer Football Camp 2 – The News Mill
Shillong Lajong FC’s senior coach Birendra Thapa providing football tips to the young players during the 10-day summer soccer camp organized by Guwahati City FC at Gauhati University ground in Guwahati

Birendra Thapa who is currently the senior manager of Shillong Lajong FC said that most of the boys in the camp are very energetic. “It’s a great thing the Guwahati City FC has started by gathering the boys together. I will be happiest if some of the boys take advantage of the camp and learn new things to improve their football talents. I also hope that the Guwahati City FC continues their work in different parts of the state,” said Thapa.

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About Abdul Gani

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Abdul Gani is a Guwahati-based journalist