Identifying talent is only the beginning. Through Northeast Rising, India Khelo Football (IKF) and the Assam Football Association (AFA) are coming together to build a football ecosystem where young players can find opportunities not only on the pitch, but also beyond it.
The Northeast has always held a special place in Indian football. The region has produced exceptional players, developed a deep-rooted football culture and continues to nurture thousands of young people who dream of building a future through sport. Yet football development cannot be measured only by the number of players who reach the professional level.
For every player who becomes a professional footballer, many more may choose a different path. Their football journey does not have to end; their skills and aspirations can continue to open doors in education, sport, coaching and other careers.
With this broader vision, IKF and AFA are bringing the Northeast Rising Project to Assam. The collaboration aims to strengthen grassroots football while creating structured pathways that support young people through talent identification, mentorship, career guidance, education, networks and opportunities beyond professional football.
From Talent Identification to Talent Development
Northeast Rising is about taking football opportunities closer to the communities where players live and play. Through grassroots assessments and structured talent identification, IKF aims to ensure that promising players who may otherwise remain outside traditional scouting networks get an opportunity to be seen, assessed and guided.
But identification is only the beginning. This is where IKF Pathway 360 becomes an integral part of Northeast Rising.
The 99%: A Journey Beyond Professional Football
Football conversations often focus on the small percentage who reach the professional level. Northeast Rising takes a wider view, recognising that the vast majority may not become professionals — but their potential and ambition should not end.
Through IKF Pathway 360, the programme aims to provide access to guidance, mentorship and alternative pathways. The objective is simple: football can be the starting point, not necessarily the final destination.
A player may become a coach, pursue sports management, enter the corporate world, continue higher education or become an entrepreneur. Others may simply continue playing because football remains an important part of their lives.
Through IKF’s corporate and partner network, Pathway 360 seeks to connect players with organisations, mentors and opportunities aligned with their individual aspirations.
Strengthening Assam’s Football Ecosystem
The partnership between AFA and IKF brings together local football understanding and a grassroots national platform. AFA’s knowledge of Assam’s football ecosystem, stakeholders and communities can complement IKF’s grassroots talent identification and player pathway model, creating stronger connections between players, families, coaches, academies, educational institutions, corporates and career opportunities.
The goal is to ensure that discovering a player is not the end of the process, but the beginning of a longer relationship with that player.
A Shared Vision for Assam
Dr. Sangrang Brahma, Secretary, Assam Football Association, said, “Assam has always had a strong football culture and a large pool of young talent. What is important now is to build stronger and more structured pathways around that talent. Every player may not become a professional footballer, but every player can have a meaningful future.”
Phani Bhushan, Founder, India Khelo Football, said, “At IKF, we have always believed that scouting should not be the finish line for a player — it should be the starting point. The reality is that 99% of young footballers may not become professional footballers, and we have a responsibility to ensure that their journey does not end there. Through IKF Pathway 360, our aim is to mentor, guide and connect young people to the right educational, professional and career opportunities.”
Building for the Player, Not Just the Football Career
This philosophy reflects a broader approach to grassroots sports development. Talent identification remains important, but sustainable impact comes from creating a system that supports the individual even when their football journey takes an unexpected direction.
For a young player in Assam, participating in Northeast Rising could mean more than being assessed for football ability. It could mean being discovered, receiving feedback, meeting a mentor, understanding career options or being connected to an educational institution, corporate partner or employment opportunity.
The Road Ahead
The Assam chapter of Northeast Rising is envisioned as more than a scouting programme. It is a step towards building a 360-degree grassroots ecosystem — one that identifies talent, develops players, supports aspirations and creates opportunities beyond the football field.
Football can open a door. The responsibility of an ecosystem is to help a young person understand where that door can lead.
With Northeast Rising, IKF and the Assam Football Association are working towards a simple belief: the journey may begin on the football pitch, but it does not have to end there.
