Talking to reporters here, Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) general secretary and member of the local organising committee Larsing M. Sawian said a slew of pre-emptive measures would be taken to ensure that the 28 matches of the last leg of the second division of the I-League pass off peacefully.
“We appeal to the spectators to remain calm during the matches since any untoward incident could lead to the relocation of the event elsewhere,” Sawian said while adding that it was the first time that the AIFF would be hosting the event in the Northeast.
Altogether, eight teams would be participating in the event, with three from Shillong.
The event, which will see two matches in a day, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and the Shillong Sports Association ground number one at Polo here. The first match will commence from 1pm and the second one at 3.15pm.
“We expect a huge turnout during the matches. All spectators would be thoroughly frisked by private security agencies before entering the venue to ensure that no untoward incident takes places,” Sawian said.
The East Khasi Hills superintendent of police, A.R. Mawthoh has also directed the MFA to ensure that persons under the influence of liquor and who are potential trouble makers should not be allowed inside the venues.
Water bottles or any article which can be used as projectiles will not be allowed, Mawthoh said. Water pouches should be available for spectators at the stadium, he added.
Sawian said he expected the condition of the ground at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium to be “much better” than during the 2009 I-League season where the teams who had come to play had several complaints.
The eight teams, which have qualified to the final leg include Shillong Lajong FC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Royal Wahingdoh Sports Club, Ar-Hima FC, Southern Samity, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Vasco Sports Club and United Sikkim FC.
Two among the eight teams will be playing in the next season of the first division I-League.