Shillong, Aug 2: The Meghalaya State League will be held once again, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh said today.
Lyngdoh was speaking as guest of honour at the launch of the second edition of the Meghalaya Baby League at the State Convention Centre here.
The MSL, which was held once in 2017-18, brought together the top teams from the various districts of Meghalaya into a single league and knockout tournament. Niaw Wasa are the defending champions of the Meghalaya State League, having won the inaugural tournament in 2017-18, in which 19 teams took part.
“Meghalaya can become the next powerhouse of football in India and besides committing to spreading the Baby League to other districts, the state government has also decided to restart the Meghalaya State League, which has been sanctioned thanks to the Chief Minister, and simultaneously start an U-15 Meghalaya State League,” Lyngdoh said in his speech.
With Tata Trusts also continuing to fund the Meghalaya Baby League, an U-15 MSL fits in nicely with giving children who are too old to play in the Baby League (where the maximum age is 12) a way to further develop as budding footballers.
The MSL will most likely only take place after the district-level football seasons end (around October/November).