Shillong, Aug 19: Today’s Group A match in the Shillong Sports Association’s Second Division 2025 had to be called off at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here due to excessive waterlogging.
There was heavy rain in Shillong this morning and the match between Mylliem Lum and Lumshyiap was scheduled for 12:15PM.
A section of the pitch even swelled up like a balloon (see below), according to the referees (TSR wasn’t on hand to witness this) and this made play impossible.
The ground is set to be used at 2:45PM for a Third Division quarterfinal. The officials will take a call as to whether conditions have improved enough for this match to go ahead as scheduled.
The Mylliem Lum-Lumshyiap game will have to be rescheduled.
Despite work in June to improve the drainage at the SSA Stadium, the pitch still struggles to cope with heavy rain. Large pipes were laid along two sides of the perimeter of the pitch in order to improve the drainage of rainwater into the nearby Wahumkhrah River.
Drainage at the ground has been an issue ever since the new artificial turf was laid in 2023. The pitch and the drainage has been funded through the Meghalaya government.
Tomorrow’s fixtures:
Group B – Nongmensong vs Marbisu, 11:15AM, SSA Stadium
Group B – Laitkyrhong vs Umphyrnai, 1:45PM, SSA Stadium
(Representative photo)
