Three budding footballers from the Sikkim government-run Namchi Sports Hostel have been selected for the under-15 youth development programme of Hyderabad FC, an Indian Soccer League (ISL) team.

The trio — Nehal Mangar, Nayan Chettri and Jigdal Bhutia — will undergo two-year specialised training under expert watch at the Hyderabad Football Academy run by the ISL club, which is the reigning champion of the country’s premier football tournament.

The boys have been part of the Namchi Sports Hostel for four-five years and have been receiving football training free of cost. “They were selected by Hyderabad FC in a trial conducted by the club at Namchi in July. This will provide a platform for the children to further nurture their talent. Their selection is also very encouraging for the coaches at the hostel who work very hard with the boys,” said Suren Chettri, a senior coach.

Suren, who is also the head coach of India’s under23 women’s team, said trainees at the hostel were selected from different parts of the state. “They are the cream of Sikkim’s talent. They are very good and an enthusiastic lot. We hope the three will not just limit themselves to being selected for Hyderabad FC, but do even better in the future,” he said.

The teenage troika said they were very happy to make it to the Hyderabad FC academy and thanked their coaches at the hostel for nurturing them. “I am very, very happy. I hope one day I will be able to represent the Indian team,” said 14-yearold Nayan, who is rooting for Brazil in the ongoing World Cup.

Basant Padhan, an assistant director of Sikkim sports department, said two other boys from the hostel were selected by Bengaluru FC, also an ISL team, for their under-14 programme in August. “The hostel trains Under-12 and under-17 boys as well. They too should get such opportunities in the future,” he said.

The Namchi Sports Hostel was started in 1999 and has produced over 20 India players in different age groups over the years.