The Rapid Rise of Guwahati FC
Guwahati Football Club is a professional football club based out of Guwahati, Assam. The club was formally launched in November 2014 by a group of prominent local businessmen from the region including Sanjive Narain, Kamal Das, Manoj Goswami, Dudul Chowdhury, and others.
In December 2014, Guwahati FC tied up with Anglian Management Group (AMG) and Brazilian football club, Clube Atletico Paranaense (CAP) to set up the first international football academy in North East India. The academy was officially opened in June 2015 and plans to train 100 elite youth footballers in various age groups. The training will be done under the supervision of CAP’s Brazilian coaches who will also train Guwahati FC coaches at the CAP facilities in Curitiba, Brazil.
The club’s Senior team was put together at short notice and they played their first competition in May 2015 when they participated in the Assam Premier League (ASPL). They signed experienced Spanish coach Anxo Varcarcel – who holds a UEFA A coaching license – as the First Team Coach.
Based on their successful run in the ASPL, Guwahati FC will be participating in the Indian I-League 2nd Division starting from later this year along with other renowned names in Indian football such as Dempo FC and Mohammedan Sporting. In preparation, they have already signed prominent Indian footballers such as Durga Boro, Khelemba Metei as well as some experienced foreign talent. The club will be playing in the Eastern Conference, along with other clubs such as Gangtok Himalayan SC, Neroca FC, Fateh Hyderabad and Mohammedan Sporting. The first fixture is on November 14, 2015, against Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata. Their home matches will be played at the Nehru Stadium in Ulubari, Guwahati.
The club has placed a strong emphasis on youth development.
- In Dec 2015 an Under 15 side comprised of players from the Guwahati FC-CAP-AMG Academy will compete in the inaugural National U-15 I-League. They will play in the Guwahati-Shillong zone against renowned sides like Shillong Lajong, Royal Wahingdoh, SAI and Guwahati Town Club.
- Also, an U-18 side from Guwahati FC’s Academy will play in the inaugural U-18 I-League, in the Guwahati – Shillong Zone. The first match will be against Shillong Lajong FC on the 31st of October 2015.
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