Shillong, Aug 30 (IANS) The Meghalaya government has significantly stepped up its investment in sports, with Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla saying the state’s latest initiatives are only the beginning of a larger push to build a strong sporting ecosystem.
Addressing the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations in Shillong on Saturday, organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs under the theme “Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat”, Shylla said the state government was committed to providing athletes with stronger financial support, better training facilities and career opportunities.
“By giving you this award today, we are not saying that this is enough. We are saying that this is just the beginning,” the Minister said while felicitating Meghalaya’s sporting achievers.
Shylla highlighted the sharp rise in the state’s sports allocation, saying the budget has increased from around Rs 40 crore in 2018 to more than Rs 840 crore currently.
The state government has also substantially revised cash incentives for athletes.
A gold medal at the National Games will now carry a reward of Rs 2 lakh, compared with Rs 7,500 earlier.
Silver and bronze medal winners will receive Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively.
The Minister said medal-winning athletes at the National Games, South Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympics would also be eligible for direct government appointments under the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsperson Direct Appointment Policy (MOSDAP).
The first appointment under the policy was handed over to Pynshngain Kurbah, a bronze medallist at the 38th National Games.
The state government is also preparing a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s sporting pipeline. These include training stipends for Meghalaya’s contingent for the 39th National Games, health insurance coverage for sportspersons under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) and the establishment of 125 grassroots football centres.
Under the STAR programme, around 24,500 young people will be assessed to identify and nurture sporting talent.
A high-performance sports science centre at the JN Sports Complex is also scheduled to be inaugurated in September 2026.
The Minister felicitated Mawlai Sports Club, winners of the fourth Meghalaya State League and qualifiers for the I-League 3 2025-26 playoffs, along with other medal-winning athletes.
Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed said that sport plays an important role in developing resilience, teamwork and character among young people while helping them stay away from negative influences.
Sports and Youth Affairs Director Alertson Nongbri said that Meghalaya was building a high-performance sporting ecosystem as it prepares to host the 39th National Games in 2027.
–IANS
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