Bobby Nongbet, Shillong Lajong FC coach was conferred the Youth Coach of the Year award by the Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC), a recognized body of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in Mumbai on Tuesday. Nongbet, who was in charge of the senior team before Alison Kharsyntiew took over, was lauded for his work with the club’s junior team that won the 2017-18 edition of the Under-18 Youth League after beating Kerala Blasters in the final.
The award also highlights Nongbet’s contribution to the club’s youth development programme. Nongbet hails from Shillong in Meghalaya. Under him, the Shillong Lajong won the under-15 Manchester United Premier Cup India Champions in 2010. The 37-year-old is also responsible for producing players like Nim Dorjee Tamang, Samuel Shadap, Zodingliana and Shaiborlang Kharpran in the SLFC Academy.
On receiving the award, Nongbet thanked AIFC and AIFF for the award. The initiative certainly will lift the spirit and motivation of India’s coaches in the country to work harder, and it serves as good recognition for the effort made by the club with regards to working with the youth.
Nongbet also thanked the management and staff for their continuous support. ‘Special mention must be made to Lajong fans who have been motivating us from the beginning and also Larsing Ming Sawyan for his belief and concentration on youth development,’ he added.
