Shillong, Apr 1: Excitement among Meghalaya’s passionate football fans will reach new heights with the start of the fifth edition of the Meghalaya State League (MSL 5), which is set to begin on 11 April.
This year’s iteration will be the biggest in the history of the statewide football tournament, with 33 eligible teams divided among eight groups scheduled to contest the first stage. The number of teams is still provisional, however, as all must complete the pre-tournament formalities in order to compete.
The MSL was conceptualised by the Meghalaya Football Association and has been fully supported by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, since its inception in 2017. The league brings together the best teams from all the affiliated district associations of the MFA in one grand competition to be crowned Champions of Meghalaya. This year the tournament is extra special as it is being organised during the MFA’s year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The defending champions are Mawlai SC, who won MSL 4 in 2024. Mawlai, representing the Shillong Sports Association, will play in Group C along with Amlarem SC, Lamin XI SCC (both Amlarem Sub-Division SA) and Laskein SCCC (Laskein Block SA). Group C’s matches will take place in Amlarem.
The opening match will be held at the SSA Stadium in Shillong in Group A, which comprises Nongkseh SSCC (Shillong SA), Mawshun SCC (Riwar Mihngi Football Association), Khimusniang SC (West Jaintia District SA) and Umkaber SCC (Tyrsad Area SA).
Shillong will also play host to Group B matches, which will take place at the MFA Turf. Teams in this group comprise Nangkiew Irat SC (Shillong SA), Mulang SC Nongbah (West Jaintia DSA), Mawlum Tyrsad SCC (Tyrsad Area SA) and Mawphu SC (Sohra SA).
Group D contains two semifinalists of MFA 4 – Ladthadlaboh SC (West Jaintia DSA) and Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC (East Jaintia DFA) – plus Thangskai Tiger SC (East Jaintia DFA) and Jalaphet Moochut Pyrdung SC (Saipung Block SA). Matches in this group will be held in Khliehriat.
Group E games will be held in Wahiajer, which was the venue for the 2024 final. This group comprises that year’s runners-up Shillong Lajong (Shillong SA), who were also the 2019 champions, Lumphyrnai Lumsohphoh FC (Thadlaskein SA), Iatyllilang Lumsehkot SCC (Laskein Block SA) and Lamyrsiang SCC (Saipung Block SA).
Mairang will host the Group F teams Langsning FC (Shillong SA), Mission SCC (Pyndengumiong DSA), Umlakro FC (Western Ri-Bhoi DSA) and Lawbah SC (Eastern Border SA).
Group G is the biggest, with five teams, and their matches will be held in Williamnagar. A’chik SCO (East Garo Hills DSA), Atong Matgrik FC (South Garo Hills DSA), Maram FC (Tura DFA), Balmanduri FC (North Garo Hills DSA) and Janepih Youth SCA (Mawshynrut SA) will fight it out in this group.
Last but not least is Group H in Mawkyrwat. This group contains 2023 winners Rangdajied United FC (Shillong SA), Mawten SC (Mawkyrwat DSA), Mawlarshong SC (Nongstoin DSA) and Umdang SC (Mawshynrut SA).
In four editions, the pull of the MSL has vastly improved the standard of the game in all corners of Meghalaya, with honour and glory, not to mention prize money, all encouraging players and clubs to strive to be the best, to be the Champions of Meghalaya. Nothing less than the best is expected from the teams this year in the greatly expanded MSL 5.
