SSA to kick off its centenary celebrations on Mar 29

SHILLONG: The Shillong Sports Association will kick off its year-long centenary celebrations on March 29 with an inaugural function and the opening of the new galleries at Ground No. 1 in Polo. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will be the Chief Guest on the occasion while North Eastern Council Secretary, Ram Muivah will be the Guest of Honour. The event will commence at 3 PM. Meanwhile, speaking to a section of the media on Saturday, SSA president Bindo M Lanong informed that the Shillong Sports Association which was initially founded as the Shillong Football Association sometime in 1916 completed 100 years of existence this year. To mark the event a host of activities, both cultural and sports, would be organised by the SSA. A souvenir magazine, focusing on the past and recent achievements of the Association, would also be released later in the year to mark the occasion, he informed. Various sub committees have also been formed to facilitate a meaningful celebration of the centenary year. Lanong also highlighted that despite facing numerous problems, the Association had carried its task forward for the cause of sports in the city and the entire East Khasi Hills district and had come a long way since its inception. The Meghalaya Invitational Football Tournament, to be held in October, will be a special affair this year, informed B Diengdoh, secretary of the Association. It may be mentioned that as many as 70 clubs are affiliated to the SSA.