Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday honoured the under-17 football team of Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School, Ri-Bhoi, for securing third place at the Indo-French Football Tournament 2025.
The tournament, held in Paris, France, from March 25 to 29, saw the Meghalaya team competing against top-tier French clubs, earning a podium finish and making their state proud.
The felicitation ceremony, held at the State Secretariat’s Main Conference Hall, was attended by senior officials, including D.D. Shira, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, and Hamlet Dohling, president of the Meghalaya Football Association.
The chief minister praised the team for their exceptional performance, describing them as ambassadors of Meghalaya and India.
He highlighted how their achievement showcased the state’s immense talent, noting that their success resonated beyond football and symbolized a victory for Meghalaya’s youth on the global stage.
During the event, Chief Minister Sangma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting sports as a transformative tool for youth development.
He emphasised ongoing efforts to enhance sports infrastructure and training programs in Meghalaya, with the vision of establishing the state as the “Football Capital of India.”
He also announced that the Meghalaya U-18 State Football Team has been invited to a 20-day elite training camp at the Olympique Lyonnais Academy in France starting in June.
The camp will provide players with access to state-of-the-art facilities, friendly matches, and exposure to international standards of training and play.
Reflecting on the significance of the Indo-French Football Tournament, Sangma noted that it was more than a sporting competition, serving as a platform for cultural exchange and strengthening ties between India and France.
He commended the team for their resilience and teamwork against renowned French clubs like FC Versailles and Sarcelles FC, adding that the tournament had elevated the players’ skills and strategies.
Sangma highlighted the state’s ambitious projects under the Chief Minister’s Football Mission (CMFM), which include several large-scale sports infrastructure developments.
Among these are the Mawkhanu Sports Complex, set to be one of the largest stadiums in the Northeast with a 40,000-capacity by 2028, and the P.A. Sangma Sports Complex, which will feature a pre-engineered football stadium and state-of-the-art indoor facilities by 2026.
Renovations at JN Sports Complex and new projects like Wahiajer Stadium and Ampati Stadium are also part of the mission to bolster Meghalaya’s standing as a sports hub.
Sponsored by the Meghalaya government with Rs. 50 lakh, the Myngken football team participated in the Paris tournament after a runner-up finish at the Subroto Cup 2024.
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Alongside their matches, the players engaged in career counselling and well-being sessions organised by the Indo-French Sports Association, gaining valuable insights into sports management and international opportunities.
The chief minister concluded by reiterating the state’s dedication to fostering sports talent and ensuring Meghalaya’s youth have the resources, training, and opportunities to excel on global platforms.
