Former soccer star Shyam Thapa has expressed hope that he will be able to launch his long-cherished residential football academy at Sukna

Siliguri, Aug. 21: Former soccer star Shyam Thapa has expressed hope that he will be able to launch his long-cherished residential football academy at Sukna after Durga Puja.

Thapa has put his academy plans on fast track after receiving positive signals from Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung and north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb.

“I met Bimal Gurung in Darjeeling two days ago and he told me to go ahead with my plans. He also assured me that he would also help me with funds for the academy once the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration starts functioning,” said Thapa.

The iconic striker, famed for his bicycle kick, had a year ago put all his plans in the back-burner with the political turmoil in the Darjeeling hills affecting life throughout north Bengal.

Thapa, who represented football giants, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, said he was also in touch with north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb and the Matigara-Naxalbari MLA, Shankar Malakar. “Both of them have told me that they will do their best to help me set up the academy. The minister has asked me to submit a proposal to him for the construction of the hostel for the trainees,” said the former player.

Thapa had quit his job as technical adviser to the Tata Football Academy in 2009 to pursue his academy dream. “Although north Bengal has rich soccer talents, they are largely unexplored. My aim is to make the academy a launching pad for budding footballers in the region,” said Thapa.

The Sukna Games and Sports Club will be Thapa’s partner in the project.

“The club will look after the grounds, the players and their daily needs. We need Rs 50 lakh to start with and I am also in touch with possible sponsors. We want to start the work after the Pujas,” he said.

The academy will have branches in Darjeeling, Mirik, Gorubathan, Pedong, Nagrakata and Birpara. “We plan to set up non-residential coaching centres in these places. Once the coaches are chosen, we will start selection camps to pick the students. I will be the technical director,” said Thapa.

Suren Pradhan, the secretary of Sukna Games and Sports, said the academy would be a matter of great pride for the region. “We have been working closely with Shyam Thapa and we will ensure that his dreams come true. We will not let this opportunity pass,” said Pradhan.

Sources said Thapa was in touch with former national players Ranjit Thapa and Biswajit Bhattacharya to work as the coaches of the academy.

“Both of them have coaching diploma and have already been approached for the jobs. Thapa is also scouting the north-eastern states for coaches and training staff,” said a source.

-TT