Rangdajied, Nongthymmai, Sawmer, Nongkrem most active in SSA 2024 transfers; Langsning sign no one

Shillong, Jun 15: Clubs affiliated to the Shillong Sports Association have been more active than usual in the local transfer window, with 292 players coming and going between 76 clubs ahead of the 2024 season.

Being a local transfer window, the number of players doesn’t include those the clubs take on from other districts within Meghalaya, from outside the state or brand new players. But 292 is the highest figure recorded since TSR began keeping track of SSA transfers in 2018.

Nongthymmai SC saw the most departures at 24, while only eight new names have been signed. As the club largely fielded non-state players for the Shillong Premier League 2023 (a losing strategy as it turned out), we haven’t really seen too many of those local lads who are heading out to other teams for 2024. The incoming eight aren’t big names, the most noticeable being Arkwis Wanniang.

Rangdajied United FC, SPL 2023 runners-up, recorded the second-highest number of departures at 15, though 14 players were also signed up. Some pretty big names are leaving – former captain Niawkor Kyndiah wasn’t seen in 2023 but he’s off to join Meghalaya Police. Orestarwell Langshiang joins Nongrim Hills SC, Dameki Khongstia heads to Ryntih SC, Wanlamsuk Nongkhlaw moves to Nangkiew Irat SC and the pair of Robert Khongjoh and Basuk Bina go to Second Division side Jongksha SC. That might seem a bit of a climbdown but they can, under SSA rules, be loaned back to Rangdajied or another SPL club after the Second Division ends.

The big surprise was former SPL champions Langsning FC, who didn’t sign a single player during the window, while letting go of 10 (although three of these had already been on long loans at Shillong Lajong FC), including a couple who were key to Langsning reaching the SPL 2023 semifinals – Willbert Marbaniang and Dawanplielad Myrchiang.

Another team that wasn’t particularly active were reigning SPL champions Mawlai SC. Just three names have joined – Mark Austin Wanswett from Sawmer and Fairming Suting and Samlang Rympei, who were already in Mawlai colours last season on loan from PFR Academy. On the other hand, four players have left, including Pynbhalang Suting and Remark Kharmalki; the latter missed most of SPL 2023 through injury.

SPL side Sawmer struggled to make an impact in the 2023 season and have parted ways with 11 players while welcoming 15. The biggest name in the latter category is Bannehskhem Khongsdam but the team has also said goodbye to several key individuals, like Mark Austin, Russell Nongkynrih and Preciousland Kharbhih.

Second Division sides Nongkrem SC and Smit SC were both highly active, taking on 15 and 14 new players respectively, while parting ways with 11 and nine respectively.

(Representative photo)