The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) on Friday felicitated footballers Sanfida Nongrum and Ribansi Jamu for their outstanding contributions to India’s victorious campaign at the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, celebrating their achievements as a significant milestone for women’s football in the state.
The ceremony was held at the MFA Football Ground in Polo, where the two players were welcomed back after helping India reclaim the regional title with a victory over Bangladesh in the final in Goa on June 6. The triumph ended a seven-year wait for the championship and marked a memorable achievement for Indian women’s football.
Sanfida emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament. The forward scored crucial goals in both the semifinal and final and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her influential displays. Her performances played a major role in India’s successful title run and earned widespread praise from football followers across the country.
Goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu also enjoyed a landmark tournament. She made her senior international debut during the championship against the Maldives, marking an important step in her football career after progressing through the youth ranks.
MFA President Hamletson Dohling, along with other association officials, commended the duo for bringing pride to both Meghalaya and India. They described the players as role models whose success reflects the growing strength and potential of women’s football in the state.
As part of an incentive scheme introduced by the association last year, the MFA announced that both Sanfida and Ribansi would receive cash rewards of Rs 50,000 each. The rewards will be formally presented at a special ceremony at a later date.
During Friday’s felicitation, the two footballers were honoured with shawls, mementoes and token cash gifts in recognition of their achievements.
Speaking at the event, Dohling said the players had reached the national stage through determination, discipline and hard work. He added that their accomplishments demonstrated that Meghalaya could compete with the country’s strongest footballing regions and continue producing players capable of excelling at the highest level.
Addressing aspiring footballers, Sanfida encouraged young women to remain patient, focused and committed to their ambitions. Ribansi reflected on her journey from the India Under-20 setup to the senior national team, describing the transition as demanding but deeply rewarding.
Both players said their immediate focus would be on representing Meghalaya before returning to national team responsibilities and club commitments, as they continue to build on their recent success.
