Royal Wahingdoh FC – A look back, and the road ahead

Report and Photo :I-League Media Team

North-East outfit Royal Wahingdoh Football Club had an evening to savour. An evening that followed a night-long celebration, not in their home town Shillong, but somewhere more than 385 kms away – Aizawl.

April 11, 2014, will stay a red-letter day for the Football Club from Shillong, as they successfully lifted the Second Division League title 2013/14, and made their entry into the top-flight Club football competition of India – I-League.

The Royals (as they are fondly nicknamed) came from behind to register a 3-2 victory over Kolkata outfit Bhawanipore FC in the ultimate game of the tournament at the Lammual Stadium in Aizawl. Not only that, they also recorded the feat of being the only unbeaten team in the competition.

“It’s been very memorable given the manner of the rise of the Club – it was a roller coaster getting to this point. In 2008 there was a dream when we took over the management of Wahingdoh SC,”reminisced Dominic Sutnga Tariang, Managing Director, Royal Wahingdoh FC.

“In 2010, when we won the Shillong Premier League on debut, we believed the I-League was possible.

 “We almost got there in two years’ time in 2012, but nevertheless, we are here now. It’s a different ball game entirely today as against two-three years back, with the Club Licensing, but I’m sure it’s going to be a challenging and an exciting journey,” he continued.

Wahingdoh Sports Club was formed in the year 1946, and they turned professional in the year 2008 after merging with Royal Football Club. Post that, the Club was renamed as Royal Wahingdoh FC, under the leadership of Dominic.

The team delivered a remarkable performance in the regional First Division League in the 2009 season as they notched up 52 goals and also registered victories in all games of the tournament. In that season, Wahingdoh lifted the title, and along with it, they also secured their entry into the top tier of Meghalaya football – the Shillong Premier League.

In the following season, the Royals lifted the Shillong Premier League as well, beating local rivals Shillong Lajong FC, and thus became the only football club from Meghalaya to lift the title in their debut season.

“When we beat Lajong in 2010 to lift our maiden Shillong Premier League title, we had a dream to play in the I-League and we are glad to have achieved this,” continued Dominic.

“Many of the boys playing even today are those scouted in 2009 and are still in the team.

“Our debut triumph in the Shillong league finals and of course the Second Division League 2014 game against Bhawanipore FC that sealed the I-League qualification, stand out as the memorable moments in the history of the Club. That had us all on the edge of our seats,” he continued.

In the 2011-12 season, Wahingdoh entered into the Second Division League and performed well to enter into the Final Round of the tournament. However, they finished the Round in the fifth position.

They also took part in the Federation Cup for the first time during the season. After topping the group following the qualifying round, the Royals lost to rivals Lajong, and thus were knocked out of the tournament.

Although both the teams from Shillong had the same points, the Reds progressed as they had a better head-to-head record against Wahingdoh.

The Club met a similar fate in the following season in the Second Division League, as they failed to progress further after fielding four foreign players in a match. According to the AIFF rule, only three foreigners could be fielded at a time.

Nevertheless, they were breaking records back home as they secured the third consecutive Shillong Premier League title in the 2012-13 season.

Royal Wahingdoh might have lost out on the SPL title in the following season, as it were Rangdajied United FC who were the victors, but Dominic’s men successfully clinched the Second Division League title.

In the process, they became the only team to gain promotion to the I-League 2014/15.

Looking ahead, Dominic states that Wahingdoh have always remained true to their philosophies, and that has been the reason for what they are today. An outing in the I-League next year will be an experience to savour, but as always, the Club will do what they have always done.

“A good finish higher up the ladder is definitely our aim (smiles). The team has just returned to training ahead of the Shillong league commencing next month, so the effort will be on to be ready for December when the national season begins,” said Dominic.

“There is no doubt a lot of hard work on-and-off the field in the I-League.

“But we will stay true to our philosophies and beliefs in order to give a good showing in the I-League.We stayed true to our values all these years and will continue to do so.”

The Owner-cum-Managing Director of Royal Wahingdoh FC also asserts that good values will take them forward, and they are totally motivated for the challenge ahead.

“We are looking at making a strong mark in the I-League, but the focus is on being a sustainable entity in this league – adhering to Club Licensing and having in place good management practices that will see us last the distance,” added Dominic.

“We are hugely motivated to do well.”