Shillong Lajong ends partnership with ISL team NE United

Shillong Lajong Football Club (SLFC) on Thursday ended its partnership with North East United Football Club, the Guwahati-based franchise of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The club has taken the decision to offload its holding in North East United FC in order to focus on the grassroots and youth development in the northeastern region, according to a release.

Shillong Lajong FC and actor John Abraham entered into a partnership last year to successfully bid for the ISL franchise which played its inaugural season with a base in Guwahati.

As many as 14 Shillong Lajong players from the various northeastern states such as Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Sikkim plied their trade for North East United FC.

"Lajong has decided to sell its stake in North East United in order to focus on our principal vision of building our youth development programmes for the north east region by creating tangible assets on the ground and inculcate the best of modern practices for youth development," Shillong Lajong FC managing director Larsing Ming Sawyan said in a release.

"We remain committed to supporting the ISL, IMGR and All India Football Federation (AIFF) and shall continue to release our players for the ISL."