Lokendra FA partners with Minerva Academy to boost Sikkim Football

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: Sikkim’s Lokendra Football Academy has taken a significant step towards creating a developmental pathway for young footballers by partnering with one of the country’s premier institutions, Minerva Academy FC.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was recently signed between Lokendra Football Academy founder LokendraGurung and Minerva Academy director Ranjit Bajaj at the Minerva Academy complex in Mohali.

The agreement formalises a collaboration aimed at promoting football excellence, facilitating player and coach development, and strengthening the sport’s growth in Sikkim and neighbouring regions.

Founded in 2019 by former footballer LokendraGurung, Lokendra Football Academy operates from Sombaria in West Sikkim and has been working at the grassroots level to nurture local talent. The tie-up with Minerva Academy not only gives national recognition for Lokendra FA but also marks a major boost for aspiring footballers of Sikkim, given the region’s rich talent pool.

A key feature of the agreement is that players and coaches from Lokendra FA will gain opportunities to progress to higher levels through structured exposure at Minerva Academy.

“This is a huge leap for our young academy. We are delighted to have a tie-up with the prestigious Minerva Academy FC and are confident it will benefit young footballers of Sikkim. Our goal has always been to scout and develop talent and provide a platform for them to shine at the national level,” Gurung said.

He also thanked Minerva Academy director Ranjit Bajaj for supporting the initiative, adding that the collaboration would contribute significantly to the institutional development of football talents of Sikkim.

The MoU is valid for three years and will automatically renew for an additional year unless either party opts out with prior notice.

Under the agreement, Minerva Academy will regularly scout players from Lokendra FA and conduct trials for possible induction into its youth and senior teams. The Sikkim-based academy will adopt structured training modules with technical guidance from its Mohali counterpart, while selected players will get opportunities to train and compete at Minerva’s facilities.

In addition, selected coaches from Lokendra FA will be invited to attend training camps and coaching education programmes organised by Minerva Academy.

The partnership also envisages support from Minerva Academy in helping Lokendra FA gain entry into AIFF-recognised youth leagues and tournaments. Both academies will collaborate on initiatives such as football festivals, school engagement programmes, and grassroots outreach activities across Sikkim.