‘Momentous’ occasion for the Reds: Sawyan
SHILLONG: The standard of football in India has gone up so much in the past year that Shillong Lajong FC general secretary Larsing Ming Sawyan feels that this season’s I-League will be one of the most tightly-contested.
Sawyan was speaking at a press conference here on Friday, where the club announced the roping in of McDowell’s No. 1 Platinum Soda as a new sponsor.
The general secretary described the association as a “momentous moment” for his team as the new sponsors will provide necessary financial help.
“Lajong can only survive and sustain its endeavours in the national league if people support the club and if we continue to have sponsors come forward as we go forward year after year,” Sawyan said.
“As the sport gains popularity throughout India, it will be difficult for clubs from this region to compete and invest in a team at the national level because although we have a lot of talent, financial considerations have also increased year on year,” he said.
Sawyan added that Lajong are proud to have broken the “glass ceiling” as the first team from the North East to qualify for the I-League, but said that sustaining the quality of football to remain in the top tier is the club’s greatest challenge.
McDowell’s is also the principal sponsor of Mohun Bagan, India’s oldest football club.
Asked by reporters how the sponsors affect the grassroots of SLFC, Sawyan said, “What we have been striving for over the years is building an ecosystem that will make the club self-sustainable. That is our ultimate vision. At some stage we will look to give the supporters a bigger role in the affairs of the club, but until we reach that level, getting McDowell’s as a sponsor reinforces the fact that industry is looking at Lajong seriously.”
Sawyan was asked his opinion of Shillong Lajong’s performance in the seven matches of the season thus far and he said that he was not disappointed.
“To be sixth is a fair result. We have to be realistic – this is a tough league and there is little that separates the teams,” he said.
Three of the clubs that Lajong have faced were described by Sawyan as potential top finishers this season – East Bengal, Pune FC and defending champions Churchill Brothers – and he would not accept the suggestion that the Reds have played inconsistently.
“Consistency is a challenge for everyone. Name me one team that has been consistent throughout and there will only be one or two,” he said. “I won’t say that we are inconsistent, because our performance does not say that. But I do hope that the club and players improve game after game. Every team has improved this season and every point that we earn is a golden point.”