Sports Association held its annual general meeting at Polo Grounds on Saturday and reflected on a very successful year.
The various administrative subjects aside, the SSA was able to celebrate a third associated team – Royal Wahingdoh FC – making its way into the I-League, with the two other teams from Shillong in the top tier – Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC – also surviving the season.
Wahingdoh, represented by managing director Dominic Sutnga, who is also an SSA vice-president, were honoured with a small memento following the formal business of the AGM.
The day also saw the inauguration of a gym on the premises of Ground No. 1.
The small but well equipped facility was funded by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Earlier, speaking at the close of the meeting, SSA secretary B Diengdoh noted the troubles that Rangdajied United FC are facing in terms of the club’s licensing, but said that the Association would provide any help it could in order to see that the club are not excluded from next season.
Despite surviving the relegation battle, Rangdajied fell foul of a deadline set by the All India Football Federation, failing to submit documents to the governing body on time last month.
An AIFF committee that will decide the Blues’ fate is scheduled to meet next month.
When Wahingdoh qualified for the I-League earlier this month, a source noted that Rangdajied’s chances of receiving an exemption might be harmed by RWFC’s promotion; with two teams from Shillong confirmed, there would be little harm in dumping the Blues, the source said.
However, Rangdajied can still make a strong case and they are not the only team who have had difficulties with the licensing.
Meanwhile, speaking to the press, long-serving SSA president KF Rangad said he was delighted by Wahingdoh’s qualification for next season’s I-League.
Asked about the ongoing renovation work being carried out at Ground No. 1, Rangad said that the work is scheduled to be completed by 2016, but some small delays had already come up.
The SSA president also noted that fans are less inclined attend matches at the JN Stadium, preferring First Ground due to its “sentimental” attraction.
