SHILLONG: The 2nd State Junior Inter-District Basketball Championship 2026 was successfully inaugurated at Raid Laban College, Shillong, bringing together young basketball players from various districts across Meghalaya.
The tournament is being organised by the East Khasi Hills District Basketball Association in collaboration with the Meghalaya Basketball Association.
Cabinet Minister in charge of the Arts and Culture Department, Sanbor Shullai, attended the event as the chief guest, while Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh graced the occasion as the guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Shullai extended his best wishes to the boys and girls participating in the championship. Reflecting on his own sporting background, he shared that both he and Dr. Lyngdoh were once active sportspersons and that he had represented the Laban Sports Club football team during his younger days.
Highlighting the value of education, the minister told students that education is not merely preparation for life but life itself. He also emphasised the important role teachers play in shaping young minds, describing them as candles that consume themselves to light the way for others.
Shullai apologised for not being able to remain until the end of the programme due to official commitments but wished all participating teams success in the tournament.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh said that Meghalaya is preparing to host the National Games, and grassroots tournaments such as the junior championship play a vital role in developing sports like basketball, which enjoys widespread popularity across communities and age groups.
She described the event as an important milestone for basketball in the state, noting that the sport had faced challenges in the past. Lyngdoh thanked the coaches and members of both the Meghalaya Basketball Association and the District Basketball Association for their efforts in organising the championship and nurturing young sporting talent.
Welcoming participants from Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi districts, she expressed confidence that the young players would go on to achieve greater success in the future and benefit from the various initiatives undertaken by the Government of Meghalaya to promote sports among youth.
Lyngdoh also expressed gratitude to Raid Laban College for hosting the championship and highlighted the importance of adequate infrastructure for the growth of sports. She noted that the availability of hostel facilities at the institution was a major advantage, adding that proper infrastructure is essential for turning sporting aspirations into reality.
