There have been some positive moments for Meghalaya football in the last few years and the ever-positive Bhogtoram Mawroh goes through what this could mean for players, clubs and the state in his first column of 2026…
It does appear that the last few years have been quite good for Meghalaya football. The women’s team has done quite well and we have a few footballers who are getting opportunities to represent the country at the international level.
Obvious names in this case are Bonifilia Shullai (midfielder) and Alisha Lyngdoh (defender) for the U-17 national team, while Sanfida Nongrum was called up for the senior team, scoring a goal on her debut against Vietnam. Eiladki Ksoo, Ibashembha Khongsit, and Ibadarihun Nongsiej were also invited to attend trials for the Indian U-17 women’s national team, which were held in Bangalore.
The best chance India has to play in the World Cup is in the women’s category and when that happens it is quite likely that a player from Meghalaya will be part of the national team. Maybe one of them could be Sanfida and she can again score on her World Cup debut. So, we are looking at a bright future for Meghalaya football and it is our women who are leading the way. I do feel that, as a matrilineal society, this is quite apt.
What about men’s football? I do feel that it is also on the right track.
This year, Shillong Lajong have done exceptionally well in the Indian Football League (formerly the I-League) and were second in the table at the end of the first round. They did all this without foreign players, which was a big risk. Initially a financial decision due to the uncertain nature of the football calendar, it is now looking like a masterstroke. I believe we have been lucky in this respect but it is also true that luck shines only on those who are ready to take advantage of it. In this respect, Lajong are in a perfect moment to take advantage of the opportunity that has come their way. Most of the players in this team have been together for the last three years (and many have known each other since the junior level), ever since they got promoted back to the I-League (in 2023-24). Quite a few of them actually have top-tier football experience elsewhere as well.
Take, for example, Kenstar Kharshong, the captain for this season. I have always rated him highly ever since he made his debut in the I-League in 2017–18, where he formed a solid partnership with Oh Juho, who I thought was the best foreign player ever to play for Lajong. Kenstar made a few mistakes but you could see that he was a smart defender whose positioning has always been exceptional. After Lajong, he was signed by Kerala Blasters but never got an opportunity with the senior team and then went on to play many games with Kenkre of Mumbai in the I-League. When he came back to Lajong, he played primarily as a left-back but this year he has gone back to his natural position of centre-back.
The same can be said of Phrangki Buam, who appears to have finally rediscovered himself after becoming the joint highest Indian scorer for Lajong in the I-League in his first season in 2018-19. He has already taken his game to a higher level and, I suspect, he is eyeing a return to the ISL soon.
Damaitphang Lyngdoh is quite young compared to the two, but already has experience of playing in the ISL with Bengaluru FC, becoming their youngest player to represent the senior team. Kitboklang Khyriem had played for Delhi FC during the last I-League season and that would have added immensely to his experience.
Some of the players who were with Lajong last year also had quite a lot of I-League experience. The most notable among them was Hardy Cliff Nongbri, who captained Lajong last season and has considerable experience playing not just in the I-League but in the Calcutta Football League as well. I was surprised when he made the decision to come back to local football (he now plays for Nongkseh). The other player to have left Lajong is Kynsailang Khongsit, who has played for multiple clubs like FC Bengaluru United and Kenkre and is now playing for Rajasthan United. Sheen Stevenson Sohktung and Allen Camper Lyngdoh Nongbri are also experienced players who are no longer with the team. Players like Overkindness Lyngdoh Mawnai and Manbhakupar Iawphniaw also have plenty of experience playing domestic football outside Meghalaya (but have had only limited game time at Lajong this season).
Then there are players who have been with the team for the last few I-League seasons and are now getting more game time. Figo Syndai has always frustrated me because I feel he can improve so much more but has not achieved those levels yet. This season, Saveme Tariang looks really solid and Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli appears to be enjoying himself fighting for the team. After having limited opportunities because of the foreign strikers, Everbrightson Mylliempdah has finally got his chance and is making the best use of it by becoming one of the top scorers in the first round of this season (tied with Phrangki on 4 goals each). Tremiki Lamurong has scored a few goals (3 in fact) as well and Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem has got a few opportunities too.
So, when you look at Lajong’s squad, they have a solid core of experienced players, with quite a few others having gained experience in the last few years. The same is true of the coach as well. Birendra Thapa has been part of Lajong for the last two decades and, after leaving the club, had taken on the role of assistant coach at Mohammedan Sporting and Sreenidi Deccan, but returned to Lajong again in 2024. He has actually surprised me with the way the players have performed with great confidence and belief under him. If Lajong wins the trophy and gets promoted to the ISL, he should get the U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games.
Stage 2 of the IFL (starting tomorrow for Lajong) is therefore going to be very crucial for both the players and the coaching staff. Even if they do not win the trophy, it will be an audition for bigger things in the future. As an Indian coach, if Birendra could make it to the ISL and the management decides to stick with him, he must think of emulating Khalid Jamil, who is currently the leading Indian coach. For the players, it is about pride and the promise of a future career in the ISL, where their chances of being picked up for the national team increase. With it will come greater financial rewards and a more secure career.
It is not only Lajong that are benefiting from the experience of having played at a higher level. Meghalaya football in general is looking to reap the benefits of this exposure. Nongkseh, who won the First Division, have players who already have ample experience. Hardy and Sheen are obvious examples, but there are also the likes of Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, who scored that magnificent goal for Churchill Brothers against Bengaluru FC; I still remember his nutmeg on Eugeneson Lyngdoh. Banpynkrawnam Nongkhlaw had also captained Churchill for a couple of games and played alongside Kenstar at Kenkre. Shano Tariang has already played for Lajong last season and Mebankhraw K Wahlang played for Lajong and in I-League 2.
Nongkseh also have Kitboklang Pale, the most gifted player I have ever seen, who played for Lajong in their previous I-League campaign in 2018-19. So, here again you have highly experienced players who bring much-needed exposure to the other teams in domestic football. Before Mizoram became a football powerhouse, they also had quite a few players playing for different teams at the national level. Later they reaped the benefits of this experience. Meghalaya is also looking at replicating that.
What is really going to help the state is increased exposure. This year, Mawlai are going to take part in I-League 3 and, although they are taking a much-trimmed side because of the ongoing Meghalaya State League, I am sure they will give their best. With Hering Shangplaing leading them, nothing less than their best is expected. Banraplang Pyngrope is one player who could have really helped this team: quick, strong and good at set-pieces, he looks a proper player. He has joined Nongkseh and will be an important player as that team looks to win the MSL and get their opportunity to take part in I-League 3.
Rangdajied United had got close in 2023-24, but in the last game against Dempo SC they played as though they did not want to win. Their captain, Knerkitalang Buam, is now playing for Dempo in the IFL. I hope that, if Mawlai gets to that stage, they will go for the kill. Whatever the outcome, I am sure they will come back with much-needed experience that will help raise the competition and standard of Meghalaya football.
The only way Meghalaya’s men’s football can become better is by having players from the state gain experience by playing at the top-tier level, whether in the ISL or IFL. Those experienced players will then come back and play for the domestic teams, which will raise the standard of the game. Young players will learn from them and look to surpass them. The process starts and a feedback loop is established which will continuously push the game forwards. I think the state is ready to take the next step forward. We just have to support it and the award of Rs 3 crore to Lajong by the state government is a step in the right direction. Let us hope for better times ahead.
(Photos: Bhogtoram Mawroh and Shillong Lajong FC)
