It is most young Indian footballers dream to someday play for a major team in Europe. That dream is set to become a reality for 13-year-old Badonlang Rapsang. Rapsang who hails from Mawlien, Mawphan has bagged a spot to train for a 6 year period at Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim’s youth academy.
Rapsang is a product of Royal Wahingdoh’s youth academy and he made the cut during a selection organised by Tata Trust in association with Hoffenheim. This stems from Tata Trusts’ UDream Football campaign, a development programme that offers youngsters a fantastic unique opportunity to pursue a career in football at the highest level and gain recognition worldwide.
Rapsang is the son of a truck driver and grabbed attention with his performances at the Under 14 Subroto Cup where he represented MeECL Secondary School over a year ago. He then joined Royal Wahingdoh to improve his abilities and is now set to fly out to Germany this September.
The 13-year-old dreams of becoming a professional football player and wants to return to India to represent the country at the highest level. “After completing six years of training at Hoffenheim, I would like to return back to India and play for Royal Wahingdoh FC. My dream is to become a professional footballer and to play at highest level,” said a delighted Rapsang.
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He also thanked everyone involved in his remarkable achievement including his parents, school and RWFC. He said. “ I would like to thank my parents, school, the Rangbah Shnong of Mawlien Mawphan and above all Royal Wahingdoh FC for being supportive and developing me as a player that I am today.”
The RWFC management were equally elated with his selection. A club official said, “His selection will inspire a whole lot of youngsters in the State to strive for the best on the pitch,”
Rapsang is following in the footsteps of Chandan Boro, a 9-year-old who was also chosen to join Hoffenheim for 6 years. All in all 17 Indian youth players have been selected to train with the Hoffenheim FC as well as a number of others for other clubs.
Royal Wahindoh had pulled out from playing in the I-League before last season. However, the club continues to work at the grassroots level of the game.
