By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: They scripted history by becoming the first team from Meghalaya to win a national championship, but the sub-junior football team was deprived of a deserving reception from the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) on their arrival in the city on Friday.
The sub-junior boys had won the Coca Cola Cup, National under-15 Football Championship in Mumbai recently, becoming the first team from the State to achieve the feat in any category.
Surprisingly, none of the MFA officials received the team from Guwahati and the only saving grace was the initiative on part of the Meghalaya Football Players Association (MFPA), whose members greeted the victorious team in Guwahati.
Later the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Shillong, held a reception for seven of its players who are members of the State sub-junior team. East Khasi Hills District Sports Officer GE Lyngdoh also contributed by arranging light refreshment for the players after their long and tiring journey.
Interestingly, six players in the 16 member squad are from Shillong Lajong FC whose owner is Larsing M Sawyan who incidentally is the president of the MFA.
Meghalaya had scripted history by beating Odisha 1-0 on Tuesday last to lift the Coca-Cola Cup.
A lone goal from Player-of-the-Match Ronald Nonglait in the 35th minute proved to be the difference between the two teams.
The AIFF will shortlist 40 players from the tournament for the national under-16 football camp.