Why Shillong hosting Indian football team is win-win situation?

The ‘Scotland of the East’ is the home of the Indian Football Team against Bangladesh in March.

The Indian Football Team recently faced the Maldives in an international friendly game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, a game that witnessed the Blue Tigers snapping their 489-day winless streak. It was a significant day for the citizens of the capital of Meghalaya, who entered the international football map on 19 March 2025.

After five games as the head coach, the 3-0 victory over the Red Snappers was also the first for the new head coach of the national football team, Manolo Márquez.

A city that welcomed the nation’s football enthusiasts during the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, Shillong left a lasting impression. With the support of the electric crowd, even local heroes Shillong Lajong FC managed to upset the ISL outfit East Bengal FC in the quarterfinals and progressed to the semifinal stage for the first time.

However, NorthEast United FC, led by Juan Pedro Benali, crushed the hopes and dreams of the home club with a convincing 3-0 victory. Notwithstanding the defeat, the competition gave everyone a glimpse of the state’s footballing potential and culture.

With the encounter against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers set to be played on 25 March, let us discuss how the two international games in Shillong can benefit the Scotland of the East:

Shillong investing big in upgrading the sports infrastructure

The current state government is making significant investments to build the state’s sports facilities. This year, in March, Conrad Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, announced in his budget speech that the government plans to build a 732-crore football complex in Mawkhanu, East Khasi Hills District.

The planned stadium is expected to have a seating capacity of nearly forty thousand football fans, and construction may begin in the next financial year. With the state also set to host the 2027 National Games, the government plans to invest around ₹1,900 crore to develop the sports infrastructure within the state.

In his budget speech, the Chief Minister announced plans to set up around 25 artificial turfs and 140 grassroots centers. He also promised financial grants to local football teams, aiming to develop football talent from the grassroots.

Indian Football found a home in Shillong

Notably, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Shillong has undergone massive infrastructure development over the past three years. In 2023, the Chief Minister stated to the media that they were rebuilding the stadium to meet FIFA standards for hosting international matches, with an expected seating capacity of thirty thousand.

After the renovation, the Durand Cup was organized at this venue, and later, NorthEast United FC announced this stadium as their second home ground. The club played their last three group matches against Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, and East Bengal FC at this venue, and the ISL playoffs are also scheduled to be held here. It is expected that if NorthEast United FC advances to the ISL semifinal, the match could also be held in Shillong.

All this development is going to attract more high-profile competitions to the state, and more international matches will be coming to the city.

Exposure to the new generation

Shillong is known for its football culture. The state has produced footballers like Aiborlang Khongjee and Eugeneson Lyngdoh. However, Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC’s success has significantly impacted the state’s football development.

A club like Shillong Lajong FC which was founded in 1982 is a testament to the power of football and how proper investment can actually lead to popularity of the sport in remote locations. Several famous players like Naorem Mahesh Singh, Chinglesana Singh and Vishal Kaith have made a name for themselves and were part of the club at the beginning of their careers.

Lajong also became the first Indian football club to receive foreign direct investment (FDI). Dubai-based Anglian Holdings acquired a 25% stake in the club and now presently play in the second division of Indian football, the I-League. It continues to provide an opportunity to grow young talent.

The recent developments and the chance to see top football players like Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Vishal Kaith, Liston Colaco, and several other football stars will motivate upcoming talents. Watching these stars in each game will inspire young players to pursue football more professionally.

Additionally, as the state hosts its first-ever international matches, it helps the local authorities understand the requirements and fix potential shortcomings. Successful hosting can position Shillong as a future destination for major domestic and international tournaments, giving the state greater visibility on the global football map.

Manolo Marquez wants Shillong to produce national team players

In the pre-match press conference, before the game against Maldives, the head coach of the national team, Manolo Márquez, also gave his opinion about playing in Shillong. The Spaniard stated, “We feel great to come here in Shillong. It is the first time our national team will be playing in Shillong. The North East is known for its fan following for football.  Football is the biggest sport here.”

He added, “Playing here and taking football to diverse regions is a great thing for football. It is great that it allows young players or youngsters to come and watch us, take motivation from that, and become great players.”  

From the eyes of a fan

Soumyadip Sarkar, a student of National Law University Meghalaya and General Secretary of Mariners of Coochbehar, a fan club of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, has been staying in Shillong for more than one and a half years. He opened up about the football culture in the state.

He expressed, “Meghalaya is a football-loving state. The people live for football. You can see people here playing football in the streets. They always turn up to support their team, be it local leagues, state leagues, or national leagues.”

Giving his opinion on the national team matches in the state, he opined that the international match here would help Meghalaya by showing the world the people’s passion for their team. He stated, “This will give them a platform to show who they are. Also, the local players will get inspiration from the national team players, especially Sunil Chhetri, to play good football and represent the country one day.”

Another football fan, Evan Pochen, the president of the Meghalaya wing of Highlander Brigade, while talking to Khel Now, stated, “The national team in Meghalaya will have a huge impact in shaping the football culture in Meghalaya in a more organized way.”

He added, “Football fans in Meghalaya were denied a chance to support the national team on the ground for so long! But now, with history being made as the senior men’s national team played their first-ever international match in Meghalaya last night, we only expect to see and hear the loudest cheer from our football-crazy people that could, perhaps, finally wake up the ‘sleeping giants’.”

“We hope to see our NT kickstart with a win against Bangladesh to gain confidence for the other qualification matches to come against stronger oppositions like Hong Kong and Singapore,” Evan added.

The future

The North Eastern part of the nation is slowly making a space for itself in promotion of Indian football. Apart from unearthing talented players over the years, several tournaments like the Intercontinental Cup have happened in states like Manipur over the years.

The success of these tournaments has ultimately played a huge role in the success of Indian football and also the players who have emerged from the North East. Similarly, Shillong’s football scene is entering a new era with the introduction of international football. Shillong is steadily establishing itself as a high-profile destination for football fans in India, having successfully hosted major sporting events, exposed elite players, and expanded infrastructure development.

In addition to motivating the upcoming generation of football players, this renewed vigour will enhance the city’s standing on the national and international football scene. With the upcoming high-stakes encounter against Bangladesh set to be played in the state’s capital, Shillong could soon become the shrine for Indian football’s Blue Pilgrims.

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