Shillong, Jul 19: On the historic occasion of U Tirot Sing Day on Thursday, Langsning FC unveiled their new official jersey ahead of the Shillong Premier League 2025 season, which is scheduled to begin next month.
While symbolic, the jersey unveiling is significant in that it shows that the club is avoiding the choppy waters of last season, where it was announced that Langsning would skip SPL 2024 before the decision was just as spectacularly reversed.
Supported over the years by the Rapsang family, it was the latter’s decision to stop or at least pause financial support that led to the mini crisis within Langsning. In the end, other stakeholders stepped forwards to prop up the club, though they didn’t have much time or resources to build a strong enough squad and finished a lowly sixth out of the 10 clubs in SPL 2024.
Twice champions of the SPL and multiple winners of the erstwhile Super Division, that was not a position Langsning are accustomed to. The formal unveiling of the jersey suggests that, this year, the club intend to get back to the top of the table.
The event was held at Jaiaw Langsning, the home of the club, and in attendance was Paul Lyngdoh, cabinet minister and local MLA. His support and commitment “have been pivotal to the club’s revival,” a press release gushed. “His motivational speech inspired players and spectators alike, highlighting that community, discipline and shared purpose are the pillars of lasting legacies.”
“Langsning FC belongs to the people. And the future begins now. Let us dare to dream and run not just with the ball but with intent and unity toward excellence,” he said.
Others present included community leaders, such as the President, General Secretary and other members of the Seng Samla Jaiaw Langsning; the Rangbah Shnong, Secretary and other members of the Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Langsning; the President, General Secretary and other members of the Seng Kynthei Jaiaw Langnsing; Langsning FC head coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh and players.
Banteidor Lyngdoh MLA, who is the club President, shared his vision to return the team to competitive glory and with hopes of reaching the I-League in the near future. Langsning have tried several times in the past decade or more to qualify for the I-League but have never succeeded even as three other city rivals have done so – Shillong Lajong (current), Rangdajied United (2013-14) and Royal Wahingdoh (2014-15).
(Photo contributed)