Shillong, Apr 21: Renowned Meghalaya coach Hering Shangpliang will continue to lead Mawlai SC as the club embarks on a new challenge in the I-League 3 next week.
Representatives of the club held a press conference at the Shillong Press Club today, accompanied by Shangpliang and a few of their top players – Damanbhalang Chyne, Robertson Khongriah and Fairming Suting.
Mawlai have been slotted in Group A, with FC Raengdai (Manipur), Sikkim Brotherhood FC, Sunrise Club Orissa and ARA FC (Gujarat). All the matches in this group will be held at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal.
Shangpliang is no stranger to taking Shillong clubs to the national level, having coached Rangdajied United in the I-League (now the Indian Football League) in 2013-14 and Langsning in I-League 2 in 2017-18. He has been with Mawlai since the 2023 Shillong Premier League, which the club won.
Mawlai have budgeted somewhere between Rs 50-60 lakh for the tournament and have received backing from local benefactors, such as Lambok Mylliem, Godwin Lakiang, Joey Marbaniang, Kynsai Jyrwa, PM Lamare and Dr Khrawkupar Kharnaior. They have also sought state government support.
Mawlai, with its 104-year history behind it, are eligible for I-League 3 by virtue of being the reigning Meghalaya State League champions.
