They last took part in the Elite I-league in 2019. After five years once again Shilong Lajong FC ensured a berth in the elite I-league for the next season with the desired win of 2-1 against Bengaluru United at home on Sunday.

Lajong FC coach Boby Nongbet, despite being jubilant after the match tried to restrain and remembered the team's struggling journey after having overcome the effect of deadly Covid-19 pandemic in 2019-20. 

He said, "We had an experienced senior side that became Meghalaya Super League champion last year. But most of the boys on that team were released after they received professional contracts from different clubs across the country. Naturally, before deciding to take part in the I-League qualifiers this year, it was extremely challenging for all of us to regroup a quality team. We had a modern academy and a lot of promising under-17 and under-21 boys were there. boys but due to the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the lockdown football was completely stopped. The boys started practicing in 2021. So, considering their maturity and experience, they all were new before the League qualifiers." 

Boby who has been with Lajong for the last 16 years in its youth development programs, added, "Our club chairman Larsing Sawyan Ming had resumed everything after the end of lockdown. His financial assistance and continuous encouragement helped us to install the belief among the inexperienced but enthusiastic and potential boys that they will be able to do and they did it finally. Every day I spent a lot of hours with those boys even after the training and inspired them so they could deliver their best." 

Bobby added, "Initially we did not expect that we would be able to qualify for the elite I-league. But once after defeating East Bengal at their home ground, I started believing that we could make it."