Tura: The Sikkim United Football Club of Bhaichung Bhutia will take on the best soccer players of the area, Garo Hills XI, at Tura and Ampati in exhibition matches.
The Tura match will be held at Dikki Bandi Stadium, Dakopgre, after the inaugural ceremony of the Grassroots Football Centre here on Friday, while the match in Ampati on Saturday will be hosted at Students' Field.
Entry for the matches is free.
The players of Sikkim United FC are upbeat about the matches.
"Our team has been playing with well-known clubs of the region. It would be a good exposure for our team. We are confident that soccer lovers of Garo hills will welcome us," said Bhaichung.
The District Football Association, Tura, in partnership with Mission Football of the directorate of sports and youth affairs and William Initiative, is organising the matches.
"Players from Garo hills are excited that they are getting an opportunity to play with Sikkim United FC. It will boost their morale and we are confident that Bhaichung will be impressed by the soccer talent of Garo hills," said Gino Sangma, general secretary of the football association.
He said Bhaichung would interact with the students of Bhaichung Bhutia Football School, an academy launched by Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma and the football icon himself on August 15 during the grand finale of Freedom Fest.
Director of sports and youth affairs Matsiewdor War Nongbri said, "As part of the ambitious Mission Football programme of the government, we are launching the grassroots football centre. We are confident that through the centre we will be able to train young players of the region."
Mukul and his brother, sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma, will grace both the matches.