The first phase of the trials to join NorthEast United FC's youth setup recently concluded successfully at Guwahati and saw around 1100 participants turn up from across the country with dreams of making it into the Highlanders' Class of 2019.

The trials were held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati’s Sarusajai on July 27 and 28. While the first day involved youngsters born between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2006, the second day was reserved for individuals born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008.

The event not only attracted participants from all the eight states from the northeast but also had hopefuls travelling from states like Bihar, UP, Telangana, Maharashtra and others. The initial stage concluded with around 50-60 promising individuals being shortlisted for the final round, which is scheduled to be held shortly. NorthEast's new Head of Academy Khalid Jamil will oversee the final phase personally.

The final batch of players will be integrated into the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) club’s youth system and will be groomed by Jamil himself.

The Northeast, over the years, has been the nursery of Indian football and in the last five years, NorthEast United FC has been an integral part of the region's football development programmes. The club’s resolve to build a sustainable academy setup to identify the best talents in the region and to provide them the platform to showcase their skills at the highest levels, will only help strengthen Indian football in the grassroots level.