The second edition of the Meghalaya Baby League, a football tournament for kids in the age group of four to 13 years is set to kick off on Saturday.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma launched the league at a function at the State Convention Centre on Friday in the presence of sports minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills, M War Nongbri and president, Meghalaya Football Association, Larsing M Sawyan.
Congratulating the Meghalaya Football Association for taking the initiative in organizing the 2nd Meghalaya Baby League, the Chief Minister said that it is important to instil in the children the skill that is required at the right age.
“The Meghalaya Baby League is a perfect way to ensure that the children have the right exposure and the necessary guidance that will bring out the best in them to become potential football stars in the future,” chief minister Sangma said.
He said this baby league will not only help them in bringing out their talents and potential in the game but will give them important values of sportsmanship, team work, discipline and that life is about winning and also losing.
Sangma also urged the parents to give all the necessary support to their children and said that sports should not be seen as a distraction from studies by the parents but to actively participate in the interests of their children.
The chief minister unveiled the Baby League Trophy and also launched the Meghalaya Football Association website.
The kids are divided into five age groups 4-5 years, 6-7 years, 8-9 years, 10-11 years and 12-13 years.
Each football team should have players in all the five age groups.
The teams participating in this year’s edition of the Baby League include Langsning Greenergy Lions, Shillong Lajong Cayotes, Kick Start FCC Rhinos, Titan Otters, Unified Gorkha Gators and Mawkhar Roosters SC.
The first match will be played between Shillong Lajong Cayotes and Titan Otters on Saturday from 9 am onwards.
