12-year-old M’laya boy makes it to coveted football academy in Mumbai

Wanphrang Dame Phawa, who hails from Wahiajer, was scouted by Hendrickson Lyngskor, a football coach, when he was just 8 years old and since, has been touted as one of the best young talents in the state

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SHILLONG:

Wanphrang Dame Phawa from a small village in Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, has been selected by Reliance Young Champs (RYC) to join its academy in Mumbai.

The 12-year-old, who hails from Wahiajer, was scouted by Hendrickson Lyngskor, a football coach, when he was just 8 years old and since, has been touted as one of the best young talents in the state. [Also ReadArunachal Weightlifters shine in KIY2 2022: win 1 gold, 2 silver on Day 2]

Phawa was selected by FC Madras in 2019 but unfortunately, Madras FC had to shut their operations before COVID-19 hit Indi. He was then scouted by the Young Champs academy but that too got delayed. And now, he has been selected by RYC.

In a chat with TNT, Hendrickson Lyngskor said, “The day we saw Wanphrang Dame Phawa, we knew he had something in him to become one of the best in this field. Immediately, we took him into our coaching centre and trained him for about 4 to 5 years." 

Lauding Phawa's hard work and dedication, Lyngskor said, "He used to travel for two hours every day from Wahiajer to Shillong and never missed a single training session. We are really happy for Wanphrang and his family. We wish him all the success."

An elated Dakahipaya Phawa, Phawa’s mother, said, “We couldn’t believe when we heard the news and it's really difficult to express our feelings.”

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