Shillong, Apr 2: Meghalaya delivered a strong performance at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh, clinching a total of eight medals—two gold and six bronze—while simultaneously accelerating preparations for hosting the 39th National Games in 2027.
According to an official release from the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, the state currently stands 12th in the overall medal tally, with archery emerging as a standout discipline. Meghalaya secured both its gold medals in team archery events, underlining the state’s growing strength in the sport.
The medal haul includes bronze finishes across athletics, swimming, wrestling, and weightlifting, reflecting a broad-based improvement in performance across disciplines. Notable contributions came from athletes competing in events such as the 10,000m race walk, 10,000m run, shot put, and 50m freestyle swimming.
The government attributed this success to intensified investments in sports infrastructure and athlete development as part of its roadmap for the 2027 National Games. In Phase I of preparations, ₹40 crore has been sanctioned to 27 state sports associations, enabling them to independently procure equipment, hire coaches, and organise training camps.
“At present, around 2,000 athletes are undergoing structured training across Meghalaya,” the release stated, highlighting improved access to coaching, infrastructure, and resources.
The department also emphasised its “trust-based model” of empowering sports associations with operational autonomy, a move aimed at leveraging domain expertise for better results.
Congratulating the medal winners, coaches, and associations, the government reiterated its vision of transforming Meghalaya into a sporting powerhouse, with the upcoming National Games serving as a major milestone.
