The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs held an event at the North-East Hill University (NEHU) campus to launch the latest edition of the Talent Identification Programme and Elite Pathway Programme (EPP) for 2024-25.
In the previous edition, 14,500 youth were put through a battery of standardised tests out of which 200 were selected for a year-long EPP.
For 2024-25, another 10,000 participants from the age of 6 and up, will be tested, with another 200 selected for an EPP camp.
Today’s event also highlighted the training of the Super Elite Pathway Programme for a cohort of 11 athletes with high potential to become national and international athletes in their respective sports.
The testing is run by an outside agency for the department and Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA). The aim is to get Meghalaya, which punches well below its weight, being more successful at the National Games and other nationwide events and to even see a Meghalayan in the Olympic Games by 2032.
Meanwhile, cash awards were also distributed to those who have won medals at recent sporting events – 297 athletes and coaches received Rs 68 lakh in total.
Furthermore, the first batch of sports scholarships were awarded to athletes this year for 2024-25. The recipients will receive a monthly stipend. The next set of applications for 2025-26 will close on March 1, 2025, a department press release informed.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Isawanda Laloo, MSOA working president John F Kharshiing and NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham.
