Shillong, Oct 30: Four Meghalayans are playing a crucial role in the success of a football club in Arunachal Pradesh called Siang Warriors FC, who are currently in the Top 2 of the state’s premier tournament, the Indrajit Namchoom Arunachal League.
Coached by Alison Kharsyntiew, Siang Warriors have three Meghalayans who regularly feature in the playing XI – Denzil Kharshandi (pictured No. 17), Mebanlamlynti Masharing (14) and Jestibor Mawlong (12).
Denzil has held captaincy duties, while Meban has scored at least four goals so far.
Siang Warriors’ win yesterday against Dibang United FC guaranteed them a Top 2 finish in the round robin stage ahead of the “qualifiers”. How exactly the league works we’re not too sure but the winner would be eligible for the next edition of I-League 3.
Under a new model introduced this season, the state has been divided into 10 zones to ensure greater local participation and talent development. Each team must include at least seven players from Arunachal, of which four must be from the team’s respective home zone. The remaining players can be from other parts of Arunachal or outside the state.
Coach Alison, of course, is known most in Meghalaya for his extended time at Shillong Lajong. He then worked for NorthEast United, the Sports Authority of India and Mohammedan Sporting, winning the I-League with the latter in 2023-24.
Denzil is a former Lajong and Mohammedan player and has also been with Punjab FC in the past.
Meban is a relative youngster, still only 17. He was the Best Player at the 68th National School Games 2024 where Meghalaya were champions of the U-17 boys’ football event, was part of the state contingent that travelled to France for a 20-day training programme earlier this year and has also represented the state at the Khelo India Youth Games and U-20 Men’s National Football Championship.
The least well-known, to TSR at least, is Jestibor. He featured in the Meghalaya State League last year for Lumsohkhlur and he would have been known to Alison through playing for Mohammedan at the Reliance Foundation Development League early last year.
Also in the team and pictured standing on the far right in the back row is Laldanmawia, who featured for Langsning in the Shillong Premier League 2024.
(Photo: Siang Warriors FC/Facebook)
