John Abraham calls Northeast India a football hotbed, highlights Meghalaya’s growing sports push
Actor and Northeast United FC co-owner John Abraham says the Northeast remains a key source of Indian football talent and praises Meghalaya’s sports development
Actor and Northeast United FC co-owner John Abraham said the Northeast is India’s football hotbed, pointing to the region’s steady contribution to national-level players. Speaking during an event in Shillong, he said the Northeast has consistently produced “some of India’s finest footballers,” and that he feels proud to represent the region through the club.
He also described his confidence in Meghalaya’s sporting future, saying the state is building momentum through improved sports infrastructure. Abraham praised Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for what he called a proactive approach toward sports development and promotion.
Meghalaya’s stadium and club plans
Abraham said the National Games are scheduled to be held in Meghalaya next year and that India’s largest football stadium is being built in Shillong. He added that Northeast United FC is developing its Centre of Excellence next to the upcoming stadium, linking the club’s long-term training plans with the new facilities coming up in the city.
According to Abraham, the Centre of Excellence is being shaped as a major football academy, described as aiming to be one of the top facilities in the region. He said the programme is also expected to expand beyond football to include other sports such as judo, boxing, wrestling, and weightlifting, with the focus on creating a wider base for sport.
Support for Indian football and club goals
On the wider state of Indian football, Abraham said more support is still needed. He noted that football clubs now own a large share of the league and suggested this could lead to a positive shift. He also called for greater crowd support and said Northeast fans should back the team.
Abraham said Northeast United FC wants to build on recent success after winning the Durand Cup twice. He expressed hope of winning the Durand Cup again and said the club’s next target is the Indian Super League, after reaching the playoffs multiple times without winning the title.
