Meghalaya Baby League set to kick off on Saturday

The second edition of the Meghalaya Baby League (MBL), one of India's largest junior football leagues which aims to groom professional footballers, will kick off on Saturday here in this mountainous state capital of Meghalaya.

On Friday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma unveiled the MBL 2019 trophy.

Over 1,600 boys and girls registered for the inaugural season which saw the 12 teams play more than 1,300 matches on weekends over seven months.

The Meghalaya Football Association was also happy to see the overwhelming support received from parents and other community members in supporting the inaugural season.

Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) President Larsing Ming Sawyan said that the MFA was very keen on taking the MBL forward after the great success last year.

"We are happy that Meghalaya was a frontrunner in adopting the AIFF's Baby League concept. This year we aim to reach 5,000 children, utilise the skills of 150 referees and train 300 volunteers," he said.

Sawyan said the MFA has a 10-year plan that by the end of 2028 it hopes to make Meghalaya a more prominent football state that will help India achieve its aim of becoming a powerhouse of Asian football by 2030.

This year's edition will continue to receive the technical back-up of the AIFF and will be supported by Tata Trusts and the Meghalaya government.

Sawyan said the league will be expanded to 54 teams across six districts and eight locations from a 12-team league held in the inaugural year.

( With inputs from IANS )