Shillong, July 25: North Liberty Higher Secondary School of West Jaintia Hills, Little Star Higher Secondary School of Eastern West Khasi Hills and O.M. Roy Memorial Higher Secondary School of East Khasi Hills emerged champions in their respective categories as the State-Level Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament 2026 concluded at the SSA Stadium, Polo, on Saturday.
Organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, the five-day tournament showcased some of the state’s most promising young footballers across the Under-15 Boys, Under-17 Boys and Under-17 Girls categories. The event is aimed at nurturing grassroots football talent and providing school players with a platform to progress to the national stage.
In the Under-15 Boys final, North Liberty HSS edged Umpohliew Jingtip Higher Secondary School of East Khasi Hills 2-1 to lift the title. Kyrshanlang Chyrmang opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Malcolm Nongbsap doubled the advantage a minute later. Meshanskhem Kharbudon pulled one back for Umpohliew Jingtip in the 43rd minute, but North Liberty held firm to secure the championship.
The Under-17 Girls final produced a closely contested affair between Little Star HSS and North Liberty HSS. Neither side could find the breakthrough during regulation time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Little Star held their composure from the spot to register a 4-1 victory and claim the state title.
In the Under-17 Boys summit clash, O.M. Roy Memorial HSS proved too strong for Wapung Higher Secondary School of East Jaintia Hills, recording a convincing 3-0 win. Deiwamut Syiem starred with a brace, scoring in the 21st and 69th minutes, while Chesterfield Umsong added the third goal in the 43rd minute to seal an emphatic triumph.The tournament also recognised outstanding individual performances. Fairland Nengnong of Umpohliew Jingtip HSS, Joplin Thongni of Little Star HSS and Redimingson Phawa of Wapung HSS were named the Best Goalkeepers in the Under-15 Boys, Under-17 Girls and Under-17 Boys categories respectively. The Player of the Tournament awards went to Inibait Lamare (North Liberty HSS), Jessica Myrthong (Little Star HSS) and Ebenezer Sun (O.M. Roy Memorial HSS).
The three title-winning schools will now represent Meghalaya at the national stage of the Subroto Mukherjee Cup.
