OM Roy Memorial team felicitated
SHILLONG: The OM Roy Memorial Higher Secondary School football team, who recently won the under-17 boys Subroto Cup football tournament in New Delhi, were felicitated at a programme held at the Secretariat here on Friday.
The main theme that ran through many of the speeches on the occasion reflected the pride that Meghalaya can feel in the boys’ success at the national tournament, but also urged them, and other sports-loving youth, to strive for further success.
Besides the 16-member team, the contribution by coach Jeffrey Warlarpih and manager Khrawpyrkhat Syiemlieh was also appreciated.
Warlarpih was named Best Coach during the tournament, while two players also received individual awards; Banshanlang Sten for Best Goalkeeper and Mebanshan Suting for Best Player.
Speaking at the function, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma said that he felt “proud and happy with the news of the victory.”
The minister, however, was candid in admitting that the athletes of Meghalaya are being let down.
“The kind of support you are getting is not enough,” Sangma said.
“Sports infrastructure in the state is not good enough, but the government has plans to improve it.”
He then went on to elaborate on plans to construct sports complexes in each of the 39 blocks in Meghalaya, while football grounds in Tura and Ampati will be upgraded to seat 20,000 spectators, while a stadium on the outskirts of Shillong will cater to more than 40,000.
P Kharkongor, Commissioner and Secretary of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department, added that a government delegation will be travelling abroad to study what is required to improve sports facilities in the state.
Kharkongor also noted that St Anthony’s School of Shillong was the first team from the state to win the U-17 title, in 1978, followed by Government Boys Higher Secondary School in 1999.
With the success of OM Roy Memorial, Meghalaya schools have now won the title on three occasions, but Kharkongor rued that three triumphs in 35 years are only “flashes in the pan”.
He emphasised consistency, which, he said, comes with self-discipline.
“Personally, I wish to see the winning habit to be more consistent,” he said. “I’d like to see back-to-back victories and even better would be a hat-trick.”
He added that the state government is looking to develop “top-end” sports infrastructure and expressed his personal wish to see a quality football academy in the state.
The need for self-discipline was also expressed by Finely Pariat, General Secretary of the Meghalaya Athletic Association.
He said that it was disappointing to see that football clubs in the state have few locals, with many players coming from other North Eastern states, such as Mizoram and Manipur.
“We have the talent to do well, but we need self-discipline and humility,” Pariat said.
Addressing the boys directly, he added, “Subroto is just the start for you. In a couple of years time we want to see you playing for I-League clubs and at the national level.”
While the OM Roy Memorial team won the U-17 boys tournament, the U-14 boys (who reached the quarterfinals of their category) and the U-17 girls (who made it to the semifinals) also performed admirably. Earlier in the year, Meghalaya also won the National Football Championship at the sub-junior level in Navi Mumbai.
However, it was noted at the function that the state has not fully lived up to its potential at the senior level.
Justifiably pleased with the performance of the team, OM Roy Memorial principal A Syiemlieh was beaming during her short speech.
“I feel proud that the students have brought honour to our school,” she said.
She also drew attention to the academic achievements of the boys, with captain Mebankhraw K Wahlang also having achieved distinction in his studies as well as on the field.
Syiemlieh concluded by requesting the government to provide more in the way of “sports materials and transportation facilities”, which would be of help to schools in the state.
Squad: Banshanlang Sten (goalkeeper), Honour Lucky Nongbri, Jefferson Nongrud, Emerson Nongrud, Allen Camper Nongbri, Belton Lartang, Lenningstar Kynter, Michealson Kurbah, Goodhope Lyngdoh, Ynpynkupbor Nongbsap, Jimmyson Nongtdu, Jerrimon Shylla, Khraw Wanlang Shadap, Mebankhraw K Wahlang (captain), Banienskhem Nongrum, Mebanshan Suting
Manager: Khrawpyrkhat Syiemlieh
Coach: Jeffrey Warlarpih