We need to have better academies and start early, says Apuia after Belgium stint

Lommel SK’s training stint in Belgium was an intense experience for the young midfielder, expressing how fast-paced and gruelling the training was at the Mumbai City’s fellow club from City Football Group

Starting early and upgrading academies are crucial to lifting the standard of Indian football, feels Lalengmawia Ralte, who has returned from a two-week training camp with Mumbai City FC's sister club in Belgium, Lommel SK.

The prodigious midfielder, Apuia scored his first goal for the Islanders in the 2022 Durand Cup final against Bengaluru FC.

Although Mumbai City FC ended the final on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline, the 21-year-old midfielder put in a stellar display in Asia's oldest football tournament and in the AFC Champions League earlier this year.

He suggested how Indian footballers can compete with foreign players.

"I think Indian players will be able to compete with or against them, but we need to have better academies. We need to start sending kids from a young age so that they can follow the style of Europeans and then we can compete with them at any level," Ralte said in a release.

Also known as 'Apui', he talked about his training stint at Lommel SK.

"Training with Lommel SK in Belgium was a good experience for me. Learning new things with European players and being at the top of the game was a great experience. I gained a lot of knowledge, which is the most important thing for me."