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Rangdajied United have become the second club from Shillong (Meghalaya) to qualify for the I-League as a 3-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting on Saturday saw them win the 2013 second division and book a place in the 2013-14 I-League.
This Shillong club which was formed as Ar-Hima in 1987 will be appearing in Indian football’s top flight for the first time. It is truly a dream come true for the entire club management and their fans and local rivals Shillong Lajong are also full of praise.
Back in 2009, Lajong created history by not only becoming the first Shillong team to play in the I-League but they were also the first club from the North-East region to play in India’s premier club competition.
Lajong general secretary Larsing Ming has played a big role in the club’s rise in the Indian football ladder and he is delighted to see another Shillong club qualify.
“It’s great news for Indian football to have a club like Rangdajied United in the I-League. I think their qualification and the return of a big club like Mohammedan Sporting is very positive for our domestic game. Of course their (Rangdajied United) promotion is even greater for Shillong and the entire North-East. It certainly cements Shillong’s place as one of the rising hubs of Indian football,” Ming told Sportskeeda.
The 2012-13 I-League saw the first instances of a North-East derby as Shillong Lajong and United Sikkim clashed. United Sikkim were unfortunately relegated in their debut season but Rangdajied United’s promotion ensures next season there will be a battle not only for North-East supremacy but also to win the bragging rights of Shillong and Ming is excited by that prospect.
“I think it is very important to have more and more clubs from the North-East in the I-League as it gives a great chance to youngsters from the region to play at the very highest level. Of course the Shillong derby will be a fantastic occasion not only for the city but the whole competition and we are very much looking forward to it,” Ming added.
So can Shillong be called the new ‘Mecca’ of North-East football? Ming’s reply was, “I think Shillong can be called the Theatre of North-East football but Manipur remains the Mecca!”
Ming however stated that while the challenge to be Shillong’s best will be exciting, it is more important for his club to keep improving and maintain their status in the I-League for years to come.
“It’s great for us to have one of our local rivals in the I-League but our priority will be to remain in it and get stronger in the coming years because we have seen that even clubs like Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar and most recently Mohammedan Sporting have failed to maintain their status in the top division. Of course first we have to be safe this season as mathematically we are not there yet,” he opined.
