Shillong, Jun 12: Fresh from their monumental victory in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, the two Meghalayans in the Indian squad – Sanfida Nongrum and Ribansi Jamu – were warmly felicitated by the Meghalaya Football Association at the MFA Ground here today.
India defeated Bangladesh in the final on 6 June in Goa; it was 7 years ago that the Blue Tigresses last won the subcontinental title.
Sanfida, who made her senior team debut earlier this year, scored in the final as well in the semifinals before that and the midfield magician was named Most Valuable Player in the tournament.
Ribansi, a goalkeeper, made her senior team debut in this competition and was used in the first match against Maldives.
The MFA was represented by several senior members, led by President Hamletson Dohling, Vice-President Cliff Nongrum, Treasurer Prosper Warjri, Executive Member Freddy Kharpran and Women’s Committee Chairperson Dipshon Ryntathiang, among others. Players and officials of the senior state women’s team were also on hand to welcome the champion duo back.
Under an MFA initiative that was instituted last year, players who represent India at the senior level will be awarded a cash incentive of Rs 50,000 each. This will be handed over to Sanfida and Ribansi, who are the first two women from the state to play in the senior national team, at a more formal occasion. In the meantime, a cash award was presented to each of them along with a shawl and memento in honour of them winning the SAFF Women’s Championship.
Speaking at the function, Dohling said that these two could not have reached the Indian team without hard work and dedication. “Meghalaya is on par with other states and these two have proved it. We expect more from them in the future,” he added.
Sanfida, who scored just seven minutes on her debut match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia back in March, told the other women footballers present that they must “work hard, be patient and focus on their goals. You have to challenge yourself and stay motivated.”
Ribansi, who made the jump from the Indian U-20 team to the seniors, said that there were a lot of challenges but that it was “wonderful to win in my first tournament in the senior team.”
Both are keen to enjoy time at home before further international and club competitions take them on the road again. In the audience were two Meghalayans who have also played in the U-20 and U-17 teams – Fragrancy Riwan and Alisha Lyngdoh. Like the men’s game, women’s football in Meghalaya is on an upwards trajectory and both Sanfida and Ribansi are at the forefront of inspiring yet more girls to take up the game.
