SHILLONG: Legendary football club Mohammedan Sporting will be playing in the Indian Super League for the first time next season, and the credit for that feat goes to two Meghalayans.
Goalkeeper Padam Chettri and assistant coach of the team, Alison Kharsyntiew, played an instrumental role in helping Mohammedan Sporting clinch the I-League 2023-24 title for the first time in Shillong recently.
Calling it an honour to be associated with the 133-year-old club, Padam, who hails from Shillong, had joined the legendary club from Mumbai Kenkre FC.
“I am very happy that my efforts have finally been recognised,” Padam told an Assam-based daily. He also detailed how hard the team worked to win the Championship.
Padam also clinched the Golden Glove in the tournament. “Individual honour is also special. I thank my teammates and coaches,” Padam added.
Equally ecstatic, Alison said that being a coach in the football team of Mohammedan Sporting’s stature is a dream come true.
Thanking the management, the Bunkerhill Private Limited, he endorsed their modernised approach towards the game.
“Now, we have to rethink strategies,” he added, exuding confidence about playing in the country’s top league, the ISL.
Recently, Mohammedan Sporting created history after it went past a resilient Shillong Lajong FC needing one point to win the league with 52 points.
Coming from behind in Shillong, Evgeny Kozlov’s 62-minute strike won them the three points.
With Mohammedan Sporting’s entry into the ISL, next season will be the first time when the all three legendary football clubs – East Bengal, Mohan Bagan and Md Sporting – would be competing in top-tier football since the 2013-14 season.
The I-League win is a great feat for the Black-and-white stripes, which have endured some rough times in the last decade.
