Shillong, Jul 5: Ri-Bhoi won the U-15 boys’ and U-17 girls’ titles at the State Level Subroto Cup 2025, with West Jaintia Hills grabbing the U-17 boys’ trophy on an exciting final day of the tournament at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today. (You can watch highlights of all three matches here, here and here.)
Mawtneng Upper Primary and Secondary School (featured photo) were taken to penalties by Government Boys Higher Secondary School of WJH in the U-15 boys’ final and won 5-3 after goalless regulation time and extra time.
Nongjri Presbyterian Secondary School then came from behind to beat Tyrsad HSS 2-1 in the girls’ final but Nongjri Presbyterian’s boys couldn’t make it a three-peat for Ri-Bhoi as WJH’s North Liberty HSS came through after extra time 1-0. Last year Ri-Bhoi schools had won all three state-level titles.
The day began with the U-15 boys’ final where neither side could find the breakthrough. In the shootout, Mawtneng went first and scored all five times from the spot to take victory. Arki Bauni Jalong of Mawtneng was named Best U-15 Boys Goalkeeper, while his team mate Pyntngen Nongtri was the U-15 Boys Player of the Tournament.
Later, Tyrsad HSS took the lead through a 16th minute penalty converted by Balabet Khongsit. However, Nongjri Presbyterian equalised soon after through Paleimon L Lyngkhoi (19′) and the winner was scored in the 54th minute of the hour-long match by Daphi Syngkli. Ri-Bhoi’s Rikyntiew Diengdoh was the Best Goalkeeper, while Daphi was named Player of the Tournament.
The last match of the day was an intense contest that saw each side denied by the crossbar. Nongjri Presbyterian’s goalkeeper almost gave the game away early on by handling a backpass but North Liberty were unable to convert the indirect free-kick.
It took until the second part of extra time before Lastborn Suting (84′) headed in a free-kick and there wasn’t enough time for the team from Ri-Bhoi to find the equaliser. Namebanlam Nongkseh of Nongjri Presbyterian was named Best Goalkeeper, while North Liberty’s Iaisanlang Dohling was the Player of the Tournament.
Dignitaries present on the day included Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar; the legislator from Ri-Bhoi was present right from the morning match to encourage the teams from his district. Also in attendance were Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling and Meghalaya State Olympic Association Working President John F Kharshiing, among others.
The tournament, organised by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, began on Tuesday, bringing together the best schools from the 12 districts of Meghalaya for the annual event. The champion schools will each represent Meghalaya in the national-level Subroto Cup 2025 to follow.
(Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs photos)
