K Wahlang, who captained OM Roy Memorial Higher Secondary School in their triumphant under-17 Subroto Cup football tournament campaign in New Delhi recently, has left Shillong to join the academy of I-League club Pune FC.
When contacted, the jubilant teenager attributed his success to the Sports Authoriy of India football coach Lekini Suting and Rangdajied United assistant coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh for moulding his talent.
“I hope that this new opening will help me grow as a player,” Mebankhraw added.
The young footballer was earlier selected for the State’s sub-junior team, which took part in the 34th Sub-Junior National Football Championship in (Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy) in Goa.
Mebankhraw also took part in the Panasonic Dream Camp, which was organised by the All India Football Federation in the city last year.
The youngster is the son of Kormanik Khyriem and Rida Merry Wahlang, of Mawlai Nongmali.
A keen sports-lover from a young age, Meban was also a member of the Nangkiew Irat SC team that won the U-19 Shillong Premier League a few months ago.
Apart from Meban, two other SAI players – Chesterpaul Lyngdoh and Enestar Malngiang – were also selected to be part of the Pune FC academy earlier in the year, giving further exposure to the state’s youth and helping them develop as footballers.