Assam Rifles, the force which guard Myanmar border and tackle insurgency in Northeast of India, has started a residential football academy with former Indian football legend Baichung Bhutia.
Assam Rifles Public School established in 1980 is run by the Assam Rifles Welfare Education Society under the patronage of the Assam Rifles.
In 2021, the school converted into a Sports School with an aim to harness the rich sports potential of the youth of the North East. An MoU was signed between Assam Rifles Public School, Laitkor, Shillong and Sports Authority of India (SAI) on January 1, 2021 as part of Khelo Indian Programme. Inauguration of the school and formal release of the MoU was done by Kiren Rijuju, then sports minister and Conrad Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, on January 4, 2021.
Assam Rifles has now begun harnessing the football talent of the North East and has created a Residential Football Academy with the Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (BBFS). This is the first BBFS residential programme in the North East and gives an opportunity to the people of North East to excel in football.
"The dream of India playing in FIFA World Cup by 2050 with players from the North East in the national team will be actively pursued here," said a senior Assam Rifles official. A special programme was conducted on May 30, 2022 for starting the MoU between the Assam Rifles and Bhaichung Bhutia Football School. The MoU was jointly inaugurated by Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair, Director General of Assam Rifles and Bhaichung Bhutia himself.
The Assam Rifles is using education and sports as a tool to guide the youth of the North East to build a better future. North East India being a true power house of sports has produced notable sportsmen including Olympic medalists in the past, especially from Manipur.
"The talent of the local youths towards football is the way forward for the future of the Indian Football," said the official.
Assam Rifles itself has abundant talent among its ranks. Riflewomen Ranjana Chanu of Assam Rifles is presently part of Indian women football team. Chanu is also incidentally from Manipur. Assam Rifles men’s football team recently participated in the Durand Cup 2021.
