📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Svetlopisac
Sports
Meghalaya Celebrates National Sports Day 2026, Launches Major Athlete and Grassroots Sports Drive
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 05:40 PM
👁 11
On National Sports Day 2026, Meghalaya announced a comprehensive program to boost elite athletes and develop grassroots sports across the state.
Meghalaya marked the observance of National Sports Day 2026 with a high‑profile ceremony in Shillong, where state officials outlined an ambitious sports development agenda. The plan earmarks increased funding for elite training centres, scholarships for promising athletes, and the upgrade of existing sports infrastructure.
The government said the initiative will also focus on expanding access to sports in schools and rural communities, creating talent‑identification programmes and hiring qualified coaches at the grassroots level. Officials highlighted that the move aims to raise the state's representation in national competitions and nurture a culture of regular physical activity.
Stakeholders, including representatives from the Sports Authority of India and local sports clubs, welcomed the announcement, noting that sustained investment is essential for long‑term success. The state plans to roll out the first phase of the scheme by the end of the fiscal year, with periodic reviews to assess impact.
Meghalaya's Chief Minister reiterated the commitment to making the state a hub for sporting excellence, urging parents and educators to encourage youth participation. The initiative aligns with the central government's broader vision of strengthening India's sporting ecosystem ahead of upcoming international events.
The government said the initiative will also focus on expanding access to sports in schools and rural communities, creating talent‑identification programmes and hiring qualified coaches at the grassroots level. Officials highlighted that the move aims to raise the state's representation in national competitions and nurture a culture of regular physical activity.
Stakeholders, including representatives from the Sports Authority of India and local sports clubs, welcomed the announcement, noting that sustained investment is essential for long‑term success. The state plans to roll out the first phase of the scheme by the end of the fiscal year, with periodic reviews to assess impact.
Meghalaya's Chief Minister reiterated the commitment to making the state a hub for sporting excellence, urging parents and educators to encourage youth participation. The initiative aligns with the central government's broader vision of strengthening India's sporting ecosystem ahead of upcoming international events.