For players, disciples and well-wishers of Women Football Academy, Kakching, the academy is not just a learning institute for the game of football but it is about building legacy, journey of a person to a fine footballer where it gets groom to match the quality of the set standard.
Established in the year 2003, WFA has come a long way in building its reputation and landmark. Since its inception, it has produced many good players both at national and international level. The academy is run by Y. Satya Singh as its president and Uma as the co-ordinator who is also a member of advisory board of the club. Notably, Uma is a renowned match referee and he is instrumental in teaching rules of the game to the players of the club. Regarding recognition, it is affiliated to BSA Kakching, which is a constituent body of All Manipur Football Association (AMFA).
Significantly, the “Vision India Project” floated by All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under the instruction from FIFA in the year 2006-07 had helped in terms of recognition and set-up of the club.
So far, it has trained around 130 players which include 6 international and 20 national players. At present, there are 32 trainees mostly U-13. As the club does not have its own office and playground, it practices at the playground of DSA Kakching situated at Kakching Khullen Leikai after procuring a NOC certificate from the latter’s officials. However, it has acquired a land to make its playground which is situated just opposite to the DSA Kakching club.
Earlier, when the academy just started, it could manage to find 60-70 trainees in two months after searching extensively. Those trainees includes from different district of the State and started training at Kha Manipur ground. At the initial stage, the academy face many hardships mainly in procuring raw materials which is much needed in setting up of an football academy. But with their concerted efforts and firm determination, they manage to find the needful materials which are identical in form from local market as the required materials were not easily available in the State during that time.
As far as achievement is concerned, the club has come out with flying colours in many occasions. It has won U-15 Championship held at DSA Kakching ground two times in 2010 and 2011 which was organized under the aegis of AMFA. The club has also clinched champion in the Nehru Yuva Kendra Football Tournament held at Thoubal district. Also, the much-acclaim 1st Subroto Mukherjee Cup U-17 Championship held in the year 2012 was also won by the club. Significantly, the championship saw 16 players of the academy participating at different clubs at the tournament.
Talking about staffs of the academy, it has fully equipped teaching team with well experience and knowledgeable members. To name some, Khetrimayum Birbal Singh, an AFC (A) licensed holder is the technical director of the academy who also looks after as coach and instructor. Ksh. Ibomcha, an AFC (B) licensed holder is the chief coach. With Naorem Bikash, an AFC (C) licensed holder as assistant coach, the core staff also include Naorem Somorendro, another AFC (C) licensed holder as the goalkeeping coach. Adding more force to its staff, it also includes Vijita Singha, alumni of NLUP, Pune and first class holder in physical training as its physical instructor. Continuing its bandwagon, Y. Devala, Ksh. Jugeshori and E. Chingkheikhomba, with all of them national players and alumni of the same academy worked as ground staffs for the club while Y. Devita and Y. Bimolata acts as equipment stewards.
Since medical attention is also much-needed feature to run such kind of institute, the academy has also roped in N. Ajit, a sport medicine doctor of JNIMS and Jeebanlata, one of the doctors of Jeevan Hospital to do the needful.
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Photo Credit: Robert Leishangthem
Apart from training, the club also looks after other needs for its students. For instances, it had helped L. Sanathoi, one of promising players of the academy in buying textbooks and admitting in educational institute so that her studies do not get disturb during the training.
With full public’s moral support and its clear cut vision, Women Football Academy is aiming high in achieving more goals and accolades. Looking at their impeccable track record and persistent efforts, it seems that their best is yet to come.
