GUWAHATI, Oct 29 - A football academy for underprivileged children was launched on Sunday by WAY Foundation under its Teenage Changemaker Project to educate children through football in collaboration with the local village council to lead development projects and create a model of sustainable community in the Mawiong village in Ribhoi district of Meghalaya, stated a press release.
The launch of the football academy was marked by a unique U-15 five-a-side two-day football league which included both boys and girls in a team. Altogether 100 children from the nearby five villages participated in the tournament. In the final played at Umling Block, Pilingkata FC defeated Ughuli FC.
�This is first of its kind inclusive football tournament in this region. We believe this will surely spark a discussion and debate among different stakeholders around gender roles. This is the beginning of a series of tournaments we are planning for the next two years in this region,� said Indrajit Sinha, director, WAY Foundation.
�It was for the first time, we have seen and experienced such an interesting way of playing football. I am sure, the experience will go beyond the ground and to their families and homes,� said Ashok Marak, headman, Mawiong Village Council.
