Shillong, September 19: It will be a moment in history on Saturday with the opening of the inaugural Meghalaya Women’s State League 2025 where Laitkor SC will face Na Rympei Football Academy in the first match at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here. Kick-off will be at 5pm under floodlights.
Laitkor SC were the champions of the Shillong Sports Association’s Women’s League 2024, while Na Rympei FA won the corresponding tournament of the Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association.
The new Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Wailadmiki Shylla, has consented to be present at the opening match.
The first ever statewide women’s league will bring together 13 top teams from district associations affiliated to the Meghalaya Football Association. It has been a longstanding goal of the MFA to hold a women’s league and the dream is now a reality. The MWSL will also open up the way for Meghalaya clubs to participate in the Indian Women’s League second division (IWL 2) for the first time.
The model for the MWSL is based on the highly successful Meghalaya State League, a tournament for men’s clubs, which has been wholly supported by the state government. Those affiliated district associations that held local women’s leagues were eligible to put forth the champions and runners-up for the MWSL.
Eight district associations held such women’s leagues and 13 teams have confirmed their participation in this pathbreaking all-Meghalaya event.
Laitkor SC, Na Rympei FA, Pay For Right Football Academy (SSA runners-up), Lapalang SSCC (Riwar Mihngi Football Association runners-up) and Attacker’s Youth Club Pahamsyiem (RBDSA runners-up) form Group A. Their matches will take place at the SSA Stadium and the adjacent MFA Ground.
Group B consists of six teams – Mawlum Tyrsad SC (Tyrsad Area Sports Association champions), Jakrem SC (Mawkyrwat District Sports Association champions), Young SSCC (Pyndengumiong District Sports Association champions), Mawten SC (MDSA runners-up), Bright Future SSCC (PDSA runners-up) and Mawsawrit SC (TASA runners-up). Their matches will take place in Mawlum Tyrsad Ground.
Group C has just two entrants from Jaintia Hills – Diengshynrum SC (East Jaintia Hills District Football Association champions) and Chirupheiwi Nongkynrih FC (Laskein Block Sports Association champions). As there are only two teams, they will play each other twice, home and away.
As a first step, the MFA is excited that 13 clubs from different corners of the state have signed up for the tournament and the governing body is hopeful that, after seeing the success of this marquee event, more associations will hold their own women’s football tournaments and more teams will come forward to participate in future editions of the Meghalaya Women’s State League.
