SHILLONG: Meghalaya continues to strengthen its position as an emerging sporting powerhouse while also intensifying preparations for the 39th National Games 2027. The State today hosted the Meghalaya Sports Conclave which brought together distinguished sports leaders, policymakers, athletes and industry experts to deliberate on the future of sports governance, innovation, infrastructure, and athlete development.
Organised by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, the conclave served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange as Meghalaya steps up its preparations to host the National Games.
The Sports Conclave witnessed the participation of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Dr. Adille Sumariwalla, Vice President, World Athletics among other dignitaries.
The Conclave also featured eminent sporting personalities including Manu Bhaker, Olympic Medallist and World Champion Shooter; P.R. Sreejesh, Olympic Medallist, Hockey; Hima Das, Sprinter and Arjuna Awardee; Harvinder Singh, Paralympic Medallist; and Ms. Sheetal Devi, World Archery Para Champion who shared their experiences and emphasised the need for athlete-centric ecosystems and long-term support.
The gvernment has undertaken one of the most ambitious sports development programmes in the country, with nearly 240 infrastructure projects completed, under implementation, or under construction, a number expected to exceed 500 by 2028.
The State has earmarked ₹72.5 crores for Team Meghalaya’s National Games preparations. Since June 2025, more than 50,000 athletes have been identified through talent scouting, while over 1,200 are currently undergoing structured training across various sports associations.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the State’s investments in sports were driven by a larger vision of youth development. “It is not just about one medal, one appointment letter, or one stadium.
It is about the youth and the opportunity we create for them,” he said. He added that the State’s National Games preparations were part of a long-term journey toward building a sustainable sporting ecosystem, not an end in itself.
The Chief Minister noted that Meghalaya’s greatest transformation had been one of mindset. “Meghalaya’s greatest transformation has been a change in mindset, with the State now confident in its ability to host major sporting events, develop world-class infrastructure and compete with the best in the country,” he said.
He pointed to the construction of the country’s largest football stadium as evidence of that growing ambition and acknowledged that while the State still had a long way to go, it was firmly moving in the right direction.
During the inaugural ceremony, Pynshngaiñ Kurbah, a canoeist who had won the bronze medal for Meghalaya at the 38th National Games in 2025 became the first recipient of the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportspersons Direct Appointment Policy (MOSDDP). The event also witnessed the felicitation of athletes from different sports categories.
In his welcome address, Wailadmiki Shylla, described the conclave as a timely platform for collaboration at a defining moment for the State. “Today is not just another conference on sports. It is a gathering of ideas, innovation, and commitment at a time when Meghalaya stands on the threshold of history. In less than a year, our state will proudly host the National Games. This is more than a sporting event. It is an opportunity to showcase Meghalaya’s vitality, culture, infrastructure, talent, and aspirations before the entire nation,” he said.
The Minister also reiterated the Government’s commitment to creating pathways for talent from even the most remote villages. “Success will not be measured only by medals or infrastructure. Success will be measured by the legacy we leave behind, a stronger sports ecosystem, empowered athletes, improved facilities, trained coaches, active communities, and inspired young people,” he noted. Nearly ₹40 crores have already been released as the first tranche to sports associations, with ₹23.37 crores earmarked for continued training, competition exposure, nutrition support and capacity building.
Dr. Adille Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics, commended Meghalaya for stepping up to host the National Games and called the conclave an important platform for informed decision-making in the sports sector. He acknowledged the State’s improved performance at national-level events and stressed the need for structured pathways to identify and elevate talent from grassroots to elite levels.
As Meghalaya counts down to the 39th National Games, the State is leveraging sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment, economic growth and community development. The conclave reaffirms a clear Government commitment: to build a lasting sporting culture and open pathways for the next generation of Meghalaya’s athletes.
