Shillong, Aug 20: Dawanchwa Carlos Challam and Kyrmenskhem Mukhim (pictured left and right) have been named as two of 11 Emerging Players of the Durand Cup 2026.
Dawanchwa plays for Nongkseh and Kyrmenskhem for Langsning. Both teams made their Durand Cup debuts this year in Group E and both were knocked out in the group stage.
However, these two players were both able to catch the eye of the organisers, who have chosen to recognise players from all six groups as Emerging Players of the tournament.
All 11 will be awarded Rs 1 lakh each as part of their award. Apart from Dawanchwa and Kyrmen, the other players are Md Altab Hussain (South United FC) and Rinshid V (South United FC) from Group A, Saikhom Borish Singh (Indian Army) and Veer Arjun Joshi (Samaleswari Sporting) from Group B, Samuel K Vanlalpeka (Indian Air Force) and Naorem Somananda Singh (Indian Air Force) from Group C, Midul Doley (FC Raengdai) from Group D, Rituraj Mohan (Bodoland FC) and Lalpekhlua (Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC) from Group F.
Kyrmenskhem was a constant menace for Langsning, finishing the group stage with two goals and a habit of pushing forwards whenever the chance arose. Dawancha operated from midfield for Nongkseh with two goals and an assist, a return reflecting his influence at both ends of the pitch.
Arguably, the 26-year-old Dawanchwa isn’t really an Emerging Player as he emerged quite a long time ago. He was recognised as the Best Defender of the School Games Federation of India’s U-19 Football Tournament in 2018 and has played for numerous clubs, including Rangdajied United, Ryntih and now Nongkseh at home, Rebels in Bangalore and Peerless, Diamond Harbour and United SC in Kolkata. He has also played for the Meghalaya senior team.
Kyrmen’s rise, on the other hand, has been meteoric. It was only in 2025 that he was playing in the U-20 Fourth Division of the Shillong Sports Association for eventual champions Mawkasiang. For this season he was snapped up by Langsning and has featured in the Meghalaya State League, Shillong Premier League and now the Durand Cup.
We’ll be interested to see where these 11 players’ individual journeys take them from here on.