Shillong: Meghalaya has intensified preparations to host the 39th National Games next year, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stating that the push is part of building a long-term sporting ecosystem and positioning the state as a rising sports hub.
Meghalaya Sports Conclave
The state on Tuesday held the Meghalaya Sports Conclave, bringing together sports personalities including Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and Paralympic medallist Harvinder Singh, along with policymakers, athletes, and industry experts to discuss sports governance, innovation, infrastructure, and athlete development.
Chief Minister's Address
Addressing the conclave, Sangma said, “Started in 2018, Meghalaya’s transformation journey aimed to overcome structural and governance challenges with a long-term vision. The government identified youth as the core driver of progress, placing them at the centre of policies. Sports were promoted not just for medals, but as a way of life to shape discipline, character, and future opportunities for every young citizen, with the broader goal of holistic youth development.”
He added that “government decisions cannot and must not be simply based on only one aspect of a medal.”
Youth-Focused Strategy
Sangma said the government’s broader youth-focused strategy also includes support for music and creative industries and entrepreneurship. Referring to the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme, he said it supports 7,000 artists. “It also encourages creativity in fields like fashion, films, and art, while working to gradually reform education. Alongside, entrepreneurship is being pushed to help youth explore business opportunities beyond government jobs. Sports is part of this broader effort to build better character, skills, and opportunities for the youth,” he added.
Hosting the National Games
On hosting the National Games, Sangma said, “It’s a part of the process that is being worked out and planned to move forward. For a state like Meghalaya to even dream of hosting the National Games is an achievement.”
He said Meghalaya introduced its first sports policy only around 2019–20 after nearly five decades without “vision, planning, or a roadmap,” adding that earlier teams were formed only ahead of tournaments, affecting results due to gaps in coordination, investment, and support.
Conclave Highlights
During the conclave, canoeist Pynshngain Kurbah, who won bronze for Meghalaya at the 38th National Games in 2025, became the first recipient of the Meghalaya Outstanding Sports Persons Direct Appointment Policy (MOSDDP).
World Athletics vice-president Adille Sumariwalla commended Meghalaya for taking on the National Games and described the conclave as a platform for informed decision-making in the sports sector. He pointed to the state’s improved national-level performance and called for structured pathways to identify and develop talent from grassroots to elite levels.
