Shillong, Jul 19: All over the state teenagers are putting their all into training for the biggest new tournament to give them an opportunity to shine and take their football talent one step further – the Meghalaya Youth League 2024.
The inaugural edition of the statewide U-14 and U-16 boys’ event, organised by the Meghalaya Football Association with the support of the Meghalaya government, will kick off tomorrow at eight different venues across the state.
Uniquely for the MFA, this tournament, a long-held dream for the association, will not be held between clubs but between affiliated district associations, 20 of which are to take part in the maiden edition.
The idea behind this is to use this tournament as a platform to select the youth teams that go on to represent Meghalaya at the national level. It will also present the young footballers with a stepping stone to club-level senior football and give Meghalaya one of the strongest football structures in the country.
The tournament was officially launched with the grand reveal of the trophy by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at a function in Shillong last Friday.
Tomorrow the action truly begins, with four zones seeing teams compete on a home-and-away basis before the best qualify for the knockouts.
U-14 fixtures for 20th July:
Zone A – Tura District Football Association vs Baghmara District Football Association; 1PM; Chandmari Artificial Turf
Zone B – East Jaintia District Football Association vs Saipung Block Sports Association; 1PM; EJDSA Artificial Playground
Zone B – Laskein Block Sports Association vs Amlarem Block Sports Association; 1PM; Pamsna Mini Stadium
Zone C – Shillong Sports Association vs Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association; 11AM; SSA Stadium
Zone D – Nongstoin District Sports Association vs Eastern Border Sport Association; 1PM; NDSA Playground
Zone D – Mawkyrwat District Sports Association vs Tyrsad Area Sports Association; 1PM; MDSA Playground
Zone D – Pyndengumiong District Sports Association vs Mawshynrut Sports Association; 1PM; Dommawlum Playground
U-16 fixtures for 20th July:
Zone A – no match scheduled
Zone B – East Jaintia District Football Association vs Saipung Block Sports Association; 3PM; EJDSA Artificial Playground
Zone B – Laskein Block Sports Association vs Amlarem Block Sports Association; 3PM; Pamsna Mini Stadium
Zone C – Shillong Sports Association vs Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association; 1PM; SSA Stadium
Zone C – Western Ri-Bhoi Sports Association vs Riwar Mihngi Football Association; 3PM; Jirang Govt Higher Sec School Playground
Zone D – Nongstoin District Sports Association vs Eastern Border Sport Association; 3PM; NDSA Playground
Zone D – Mawkyrwat District Sports Association vs Tyrsad Area Sports Association; 3PM; MDSA Playground
Zone D – Pyndengumiong District Sports Association vs Mawshynrut Sports Association; 3PM; Dommawlum Playground
(Photo: The Shillong Sports Association teams pose with officials ahead of the Meghalaya Youth League)
