Shillong, May 13: The state government will soon release another Rs 23.37 crore to state sports associations as part of their preparations for the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host in 2027.
Last year the state government had released Rs 39.17 crore to 26 different sports associations.
Today, a meeting was held between the government, athletes, coaches and associations. The interaction was chaired by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla. The meeting focused on athlete welfare, training support, competition exposure and long-term sporting development in the state, according to a press release.
“The National Games is a big opportunity for everyone and in order to have a successful National Games all of us have to work together as a team,” Shylla said. Stressing that sporting excellence must go hand in hand with athlete welfare, the minister recalled a message from an athlete who highlighted the need for better nutrition support and accessible grievance redressal mechanisms. “Whatever decision we take, whatever policies we bring, it is very important to keep the youth in mind,” he stated.
While the first tranche of grants was mainly for equipment, the second release of Rs 23.37 crore will go to supporting athlete accommodation, diet and nutrition and competition exposure.
Shylla also congratulated Meghalaya’s athletes for their performance at the recently concluded Khelo India Tribal Games, where the state finished 13th overall. He said the achievement reflects the hard work of athletes, coaches, sports associations and sustained government investment in sports development.
Responding to concerns raised during the interaction, Shylla assured support for coaches as well, stressing that “Behind every successful athlete, there is a coach.” He further informed that athletes preparing for the National Games would be given relaxation in attendance requirements, adding that the matter would be taken up with the Education Department for necessary exemptions.
Since June 2025 more than 50,000 athletes have been scouted across the state. Meghalaya athletes have already secured 70 medals at national and international competitions, including 23 gold medals. Alongside this, the state is establishing a High Performance Sports Science Centre at the JN Sports Complex to provide advanced sports science support, injury management, recovery systems and performance analytics.
