Foundation stone laid for Lokendra Football Academy at Yangtey

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING,: The Lokendra Football Academy (LFA) is finally set to establish its permanent residential campus at Yangtey after obtaining the necessary clearances required for setting up the academy.

The foundation stone for the project was laid on June 15 by SBS Chairperson D.B. Gurung following a solemn prayer ceremony conducted by His Eminence TulkuYontenSangayGyatsho. The event was attended by former footballers, sportspersons and other distinguished guests.

At present, LFA is operating from Sombaria under the Daramdin constituency. However, the academy will be shifted to its permanent campus at Yangtey upon completion of the construction work.

The academy is expected to become fully operational at its new campus by 2027, with construction work scheduled to commence shortly.

At present, 21 students from different parts of the State are enrolled at LFA, which was established by former footballer LokendraGurung in 2019. So far, seven of the academy's trainees have successfully secured admission to various football coaching institutions and training centres in Sikkim and other parts of India, reflecting the academy's commitment to nurturing and promoting young football talent.

In his brief address, D.B. Gurung commended the efforts of LokendraGurung in promoting football in Sikkim, describing his initiative as selfless, generous and essential for the holistic development of the sport. He said the proposed football academy would provide a proper platform for aspiring children and youth, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Gurung further noted that the establishment of a football academy in the region would not only promote the sport but also prevent the wastage of young football talent due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and well-structured coaching facilities.

“The efforts of LokendraGurung in promoting football by providing training facilities to young children and youth are highly commendable. We are very hopeful that the upcoming LFA will emerge as one of the premier football academies in Sikkim in the future,” D.B. Gurung said.

He further added that LokendraGurung has been working for the promotion of football for the past several years and that the enrolment of several students from LFA in renowned football academies across India reflects his dedication, sincerity and unwavering commitment to the development of football in Sikkim.

D.B. Gurung also highlighted the State government's commitment to the development of sports in Sikkim and assured all possible assistance to sportspersons such as LokendraGurung for their sincere and committed work in the field.

The upcoming football academy has many aspects to be sorted out and I assure all possible help in my personal capacity, he said.

LFA founder LokendraGurung maintained that his ambition is to uplift grassroots football in the State by providing a proper platform for children from poor and rural backgrounds who find it difficult to afford professional coaching facilities.

He said that, as a former footballer, he felt a responsibility to contribute towards the promotion of football by nurturing young talents who often fade into oblivion due to the lack of adequate opportunities and infrastructure.

“I felt that underprivileged football talents from rural areas also deserve a platform and exposure to pursue their dreams of becoming professional footballers. However, I realised that an academy was essential to provide proper training facilities and systematic coaching for aspiring young players. That is how LFA came into existence in 2019,” Lokendra said.

Reflecting on LFA’s journey, LokendraGurung said the road had not been easy and that the academy had overcome several challenges during its formative years. However, he acknowledged the significant support extended by the State government, particularly Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay and other well-wishers.

“The Chief Minister extended generous patronage and financial assistance, which was utilised for the training of children and the overall development of LFA. I am immensely grateful to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay and all the individuals who have supported this initiative,” he added.

LokendraGurung further shared his vision of identifying promising football talent, particularly at the grassroots level, and preparing players to qualify for state and national-level coaching programmes through the structured training and professional coaching facilities available at the academy.

He said LFA aims to provide young footballers with quality exposure, technical guidance and opportunities to compete at higher levels, enabling them to realise their full potential and pursue successful careers in the sport.

Lokendra further informed that construction of the Lokendra Football Academy would be expedited to ensure that the residential academy becomes fully operational by 2027.