Matthew Thapa from Nagaladn who is undergoing training at FC Fuenlabrada in La Liga’s 2nd Division.
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 29 (MExN): The Nagaland Olympic Association has granted Rs 5 lakh to Matthew Tapha from Kohima to undergo football training in Spain under FC Fuenlabrada in the second division of La Liga.
While thanking the Chief Minister of the State, a message from Thapa stated that “my passion for football started at a very early age and started playing in inter-school tournaments from Mt. Sinai School Kohima where I was a student.”
He joined the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Academy Delhi and Delhi Youth Football Academy, but due to Covid 19 the training was discontinued. After about a year, in 2022 Thapa was selected to go to Spain. Although he was granted a scholarship, it covered only training Kit, League Fees, FIFA License, Assessments, Language training fees. He thus needed another Rs 17 lakhs more for Food, Accommodation, Local Travel and Insurance for a year.
“I sincerely want to thank our Chief Minister and the Government of Nagaland for granting Rs 5 lakhs for my training, it is a huge help for me and it is a very big encouragement for all the young sports lovers of Nagaland,” Thapa stated.
Thapa is currently in Spain training 5 days a week at Aldehuela, and is involved in the team that plays league matches every Sunday with other teams in and around Aldehuela.
 (1).jpg)
