Shillong, September 21: Laitkor SC won the first match of the inaugural Meghalaya Women’s State League 2025 by a resounding 6-2 margin against Na Rympei Football Academy at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here yesterday evening.
The tournament, an initiative of the Meghalaya Football Association, was officially opened by the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Wailadmiki Shylla, in the presence of senior MFA officials, led by President Hamletson Dohling and General Secretary Sunesh Syiem, and those of affiliated district associations.
Laitkor’s Iaraplang Nongrum scored a hat-trick, with goals in the 16th, 29th and 53rd minutes. Her team mates Inrila-i-dor Khongthaw (48′, 72′) and Darishisha Kharlyngdoh (90’+4) also got on the scoresheet, while Pynhun Shulet (28′, 90′) produced both of Na Rympei’s goals.
Speaking before the game, both the MFA President and the Minister spoke about the inspiring accomplishment of the Indian team in recently qualifying for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup. Meghalaya’s own Ribansi Jamu was in that squad and both Shylla and Dohling expressed hope that more players from the state will proudly wear the national colours in the near future.
Shylla also said that the Meghalaya government is committed to improving sports infrastructure and also supporting athletes financially through scholarships and awards as laid out in its Sports Policy and this can be seen in the fact that the state has the biggest sports budget in the North East. The MFA, Dohling said, has also recently announced a formalised system of cash awards for footballers who represent the national team at different age groups.
Through their natural talents and hard work, Meghalaya’s women footballers have found much success in playing for clubs nationally and also in the Indian age group teams. The MWSL is part of the MFA’s initiative to further develop women’s football in Meghalaya, giving players space to shine and avenues to grow. Thirteen teams have signed up for the inaugural league from eight affiliated district associations and it is hoped that more will join in future editions.
Coming back to the opening match, the game was fairly even in the first half, though Laitkor were dominant in the second. Laitkor were the champions of the Shillong Sports Association’s Women’s League 2024, while Na Rympei were the winners of the corresponding event of the Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association.
Iaraplang found the back of the net twice in the first half, with Na Rympei goalkeeper Rikyntiew Diengdoh getting her gloves to the ball on both occasions but she was unable to stop the shots. In between, a little miscommunication between defender and goalkeeper at the other end allowed Pynhun to score Na Rympei’s first.
Na Rympei have a strong squad of players, with Pynhun, captain Tracy Rympei and Iawanlang Nongbet all being recognisable names in the women’s football scene. However, Laitkor were more of a well-oiled machine and marked themselves as strong contenders for the title on the back of this solitary performance.
Na Rympei changed keepers at the start of the second half, bringing on Mihban Mashli. She was tested early as Inrila-i-dor headed in a cross for Laitkor’s third goal in only the 48th minute. Iaraplang got her hat-trick goal five minutes later by taking advantage of a situation where she was unmarked.
A mistake with a goal kick handed Inrila-i-dor a chance to make it 5-1 but Pynhun would claw a goal back again, with hesitation in the final third again giving her an opening to score from. One final goal was found in stoppage time by Laitkor, with Darishisha delivering a long-range free-kick that dropped into the box, bounced in front of the keeper and went into the net, summing up a terrific evening for Laitkor.
The next match of the league will take place in Group C on 25 September between hosts Diengshynrum SC and Chirupheiwi Nongkynrih FC in Khliehriat. Kick-off will be at 2pm. These are the only two teams in Group C and will therefore play each other on a home-and-away basis. The top team will progress to the quarterfinals.
