By Our Reporter
Shillong, Oct 13: Football fever is set to return to the JN Stadium later this month as Meghalaya once again gears up to host international matches, this time featuring the senior women’s national teams of India, Iran, and Nepal in a tri-nation tournament.
Confirming the development, Meghalaya’s Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Wailadmiki Shylla, announced that the state has been entrusted with hosting duties following its recent success in staging major football events such as the Durand Cup, AFC Qualifiers, and a series of international friendlies.
According to the schedule, the first match of the tournament will see hosts India taking on Iran on October 21, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting week of football in Shillong.
The action will continue with Iran facing Nepal on October 24, before the competition culminates with another high-voltage clash between India and Iran on October 27.
The Indian women’s team is expected to arrive in Shillong on October 17, giving them ample time to acclimatise to the local conditions. Iran will touch down on October 19, while the Nepalese contingent will arrive on October 22.
Minister Shylla expressed confidence that Meghalaya will once again rise to the occasion, given its growing reputation as one of the most vibrant footballing destinations in the region. “We have hosted similar international matches in the past, and our experience gives us confidence that this event, too, will be a grand success,” Shylla said.
He further informed that several rounds of preparatory meetings have already been conducted to ensure that the infrastructure, logistics, and security arrangements are in place well ahead of the teams’ arrival.
With Shillong’s passionate football fans eagerly awaiting another round of international action, the upcoming tri-nation tournament is expected to add another golden chapter to the state’s ever-growing football legacy.
