Shillong, May 7: The Shillong Sports Association will receive Rs 32 lakh in financial support from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant to run its 2026 football season, Conrad K Sangma announced today.
The CM formally opened the SSA’s football season, which began with the U-20 Fourth Division at the SSA Stadium today evening. Sangma declared the tournament open and unveiled the SSA flag in the presence of Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling, Meghalaya State Olympic Association Working President John F Kharshiing and General Secretary Finely L Pariat, and senior SSA officials led by its President Banteidor Lyngdoh MLA.
Under the CM Special Grant the SSA received Rs 30 lakh in 2025 and Rs 28 lakh the year before. SSA Assistant General Secretary Samran Syiem said that 95% of the Rs 30 lakh last year went directly to teams as prize money.
In his speech, Sangma congratulated the SSA and Meghalaya Football Association for “reviving the spirit of football in Shillong and the state as a whole”.
He quipped that football in Meghalaya is getting plenty of focus from the government because the Shylla and Lyngdoh (the former Sports Minister) are both keen football players.
“Football holds a very special place in the hearts of our people and the youth of Meghalaya have always shown immense passion for the game. For many years, we were not able to provide the kind of platform, support and opportunities that football truly deserved. I am happy that in the last few years, through the collective efforts of the government, sports administrators and stakeholders, we have been able to make significant progress,” the CM said.
With the aim of making Meghalaya the “football capital of India”, the state government is investing in infrastructure but also on developing human capital in sports, he added, while also speaking about a tournament/s at the block level to “create excitement at the village level” and revive the love and passion for the sport.
Meanwhile, in his welcome speech, SSA General Secretary Dipshon L Nongbri said that a detailed project report (DPR) for a new gallery along the Wahumkhrah River is ready to be submitted for the state government’s consideration.
The opening match of the season was played between Mawnianglah Youth Sports Association and Sei La Sap FCC. Mawnianglah came from a goal down to win 2-1.
