Shillong: The 4th edition of the Assam Rifles Sentinels Cup Football Tournament (Men & Women) 2026 was formally inaugurated on Tuesday in Shillong, marking the start of a multi-venue football championship aimed at promoting sports, youth engagement and community participation in the North East.
The tournament was inaugurated by Maj Gen Jai Singh Bainsla at a ceremony held in the city, officials said.
Scheduled from February 17 to February 27, the competition is being hosted across key venues in Shillong, with league and semifinal matches taking place at Nongkrem Football Ground and Assam Rifles Laitkor Ground, while the finals of both the men’s and women’s categories will be played at SSA 1 Ground, Polo.
The opening match in the women’s category saw the Assam Rifles Football Team register a dominant 5–0 victory over Laitkor FC, setting the tone for the tournament and drawing a strong turnout of football supporters.
A total of eight teams each in the men’s and women’s categories are competing in a league-cum-knockout format. Participating teams include leading football clubs from Meghalaya, along with teams representing Assam Rifles, the Indian Army and the Meghalaya Police.
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Tournament organisers said the champions in both categories will receive a cash prize of ₹3 lakh each along with the Assam Rifles Sentinels Cup Trophy, while the runners-up will be awarded Rs. 2 lakh each.
Officials said the Sentinels Cup reflects the broader commitment of Assam Rifles to promote sports as a platform for youth development, healthy lifestyles and community bonding in the region.
The initiative also aligns with national programmes such as Khelo India Abhiyan and the Fit India Movement, which emphasise the role of sports in nation-building.
The tournament will conclude with the grand finals in both categories at Polo on February 27, promising a series of competitive matches and strong regional participation in the days ahead.
