Table of Contents
Introduction
Jeje Lalpekhlua does not need any introduction. Securing a position among the top 10 goal scorers in the Indian Super League (ISL), he has made a significant impact with his impressive goal-scoring abilities. Jeje won the 2014-15 I-League with Mohun Bagan and the ISL with Chennaiyin FC in 2015 and at the same time, acquired the FPAI Indian Footballer award in 2016 as well as the AIFF men’s Player of the Year. He scored 23 goals in 56 international matches between 2011 and 2019.
The Retirement
Jeje Lalpekhlua was not being able to deliver his best due to a knee injury for almost the last couple of years and finally said goodbye to a bright football career this year in February. After retiring at the age of 32, this Mizoram striker commented,
“My mind is still keen on playing but my knee could not support. Sometimes I will even cry watching India’s matches.”
The Endeavor of Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje Lalpekhlua is not sitting idle. He already kept himself busy on another mission silently for the last year. The mission was to spot potential kids from his locality and Mizoram and nurture them with the purpose of producing future ‘Jeje’.
In a bid to fulfill his mission, Jeje launched his football training center ‘Jeje12 Football Academy’ around eight months ago in his village Hnahthial where more than 50 boys in the age group of Under 15 and Under-12 have been training under the supervision of three coaches already.
Jeje stated,
“I organized many summer coaching camps and winter coaching camps with local boys in the last five years and finally chose these 50 boys for the center. I have two or three boys in both Under-12 and Under-15 age groups who look extremely talented. I have already had a tie-up with Minerva Academy and I have plans to send these boys there. They have the potential to represent the country at the senior level.”
Commenting on his boys’ exposure, Jeje added,
“We are trying to take part in the Reliance Youth Football League next year which will take place in Mizoram.”
Jeje Lalpekhlua’s Another Wish
Jeje wants to become active in football administration in near future. He is already on one of the committees in the Mizoram Football Association. He stated,
“I want to be more active, and wish to train youth and promote grass route development program for football in our state.”
He welcomed the inclusion of former footballers in the present All India Football Federation (AIFF) committees.
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