By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 20: The eagerly anticipated Shillong Sports Association’s (SSA) First Division 2023 is set to kick off on January 9, promising an intense and competitive season. This year, seven clubs will vie for glory, including Laitkor SC, Mylliem SC, Mawkhar SC, Umphyrnai SC, Malki SC, Lawsohtun SC, and Nongrim Hills SC.
Laitkor and Mylliem secured promotions from the Second Division in 2022, while Mawkhar and Malki find themselves in the First Division after being relegated from the Shillong Premier League last year. The inaugural match, scheduled for 2:15 PM at the SSA Stadium, First Ground, Polo, will witness a clash between Laitkor and Malki.
Notably, this season will see a reduction in participating teams, with only seven in the First Division compared to nine in 2019 and ten in 2018. Coaches in the First Division are mandated to hold at least an AFC D Licence.
In terms of prizes, the champions will still receive a commendable Rs 1 lakh, while the runners-up will enjoy an increased reward of Rs 50,000, up from Rs 40,000 in the previous season.
Meanwhile, the SSA’s U-16 Football League 2023 for boys is generating excitement, with thirteen teams gearing up for action starting on January 8. Despite the anticipation, it’s disappointing to see only two top Shillong Premier League clubs, Mawlai SC and Rangdajied United FC, participating.
The teams are divided into two groups – Group A, featuring Labet FC, Lumshyiap SC, Mawreng SC, Upper Shillong Colts, Rangdajied United FC, Mawpat SC, and Merinda FC, and Group B, comprising Umpling SC, Pay For Right Football Academy, Iatylli SC, Mawlai SC, Umphyrnai SC, and Shillong Soccer Scouts.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with matches set to last 60 minutes. Champions of the U-16 league will be awarded Rs 15,000, and the runners-up will receive Rs 7,500.
Teams had to undergo a rigorous screening process on December 15, with a mandatory requirement of at least 16 players passing the medical test for eligibility. The stage is set for an action-packed and thrilling football season in Shillong.
As the stage is set for the commencement of both the Shillong Sports Association’s First Division and the U-16 Football League, anticipation and enthusiasm fill the air. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding drama on the field as teams vie for supremacy and young talents showcase their skills. The reduced but fiercely competitive First Division promises intense battles, while the U-16 league provides a platform for emerging talents to shine. The Shillong Sports Association remains committed to fostering football talent and providing a platform for the sport’s growth in the region. As the matches kick off, fans can look forward to a season filled with thrilling moments, sportsmanship, and the celebration of the beautiful game. May the best teams triumph, and may the spirit of football continue to flourish in Shillong.