By Our Reporter
Shillong, April 8: The Meghalaya Football Association today announced that the opening match of the 5th Meghalaya State League (MSL 5) will be held between Nongkseh SSCC and Khimusniang SC at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on April 15.
The blockbuster opener in Group A will kick off under floodlights at 5pm.
Nongkseh are arguably one of the most exciting local clubs at the moment, as they rocketed to huge success in 2025 having won the First Division title and Champions Cup during the Shillong Sports Association’s season.
Nongkseh will start as favourites with the backing of their passionate fans but opposite them will be Khimusniang, who want to start on a positive note after lifting the coveted U Kiang Nangbah Memorial Trophy by winning the final of the West Jaintia District Sports Association’s Super Division 2025.
This will be the debut appearance for both sides in the MSL, which is the flagship football competition of the MFA and which has been fully supported by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, since its inception in 2017.
The league brings together the best teams from all the affiliated district associations of the MFA in one grand competition to be crowned Champions of Meghalaya. This year the tournament is extra special as it is being organised during the MFA’s year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations.
MSL 5 had been intended to begin on April 11 but an issue with the Centralised Registration System (CRS) from the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF’s) end necessitated a delay. In the drive to make the league more professional and to open up the way for clubs to play in AIFF tournaments, the MFA has mandated that all clubs complete the CRS process for their players.
In four editions, the pull of the MSL has vastly improved the standard of the game in all corners of Meghalaya, with honour and glory, not to mention prize money, encouraging players and clubs to strive to be the best. A tradition of sorts has also been maintained over the four seasons, with a different winner every year – Niaw Wasa United in 2017-18, Shillong Lajong (2019), Rangdajied United (2023) and Mawlai (2024-25).
Both Nongkseh and Khimusniang will aim to grab some early momentum in MSL 5 on April 15 as they begin their challenge to be the next Champions of Meghalaya.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla will grace the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
