Shillong, May 22: East Khasi Hills emerged overall champion at the State Level Inter-School Athletics Meet 2026, which concluded at the SAI STC Shillong, NEHU Campus, on Friday.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla lauded the athletes for their spirit and stressed that values matter more than medals.
“While winning medals may be temporary, discipline, character and sportsmanship will remain with you throughout your lives,” he told participants.
Shylla said he was encouraged by stronger performances from districts beyond East Khasi Hills. He noted that under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the government has “significantly expanded sports facilities across Meghalaya” despite past infrastructural gaps.
“Artificial athletic tracks have already been developed in Shillong and Wahiajer, while similar projects are underway in Tura, Mawkyrwat, Baghmara and other districts,” the minister said.
“The government’s aim is to ensure that every district has proper sports infrastructure to help young athletes train and showcase their talents.”
Underscoring the scale of investment, Shylla said, “The annual budget of the Sports Department, which stood at nearly Rs 40 crore seven years ago, has now increased to Rs 844 crore. This has enabled us to improve facilities, accommodation, sports gear and youth programmes across the state.”
He added that Meghalaya is the only state where “youth engagement programmes begin at the block level before progressing to district, state, national and even international levels,” calling it proof of the government’s commitment to nurturing talent early.
On recent gains, the minister pointed to Meghalaya’s jump from 29th to 13th position at the Khelo India Tribal Games, expressing confidence that “the state could compete among the top three in the coming years.”
To incentivise athletes, he highlighted the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsperson Direct Appointment Policy, under which medal winners at the National Games, South Asian Games, Asian Games, Olympics and Paralympics “will be eligible for direct government appointments without appearing for examinations.”
With the state set to host the 39th National Games next year, Shylla urged athletes to “continue working hard and prepare,” voicing hope that many from Meghalaya would “participate and bring glory” to the state.
In the team standings, East Khasi Hills swept the overall title along with Best Boys Team and Best Girls Team. North Garo Hills finished runners-up in the boys’ category and West Jaintia Hills in the girls’. Individual honours went to Ewandame Mark Syiemlieh of East Khasi Hills for Under-14 Boys high jump, Lamsaka Dkhar of East Jaintia Hills for Under-14 Girls long jump, Highbornson Muksor of East Jaintia Hills for Under-16 Boys, Amandy Rumnong of East Khasi Hills for Under-16 Girls, Cherim Ch Sangma of North Garo Hills for Under-18 Boys, and Tusame N Marak of East Khasi Hills for Under-18 Girls.
The meet was organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Meghalaya Athletics Association. The closing ceremony was attended by MSOA Working President John F. Kharshiing, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs D.D. Shira, and other officials.
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