Shillong, Feb 15: The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah handed over the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) flag to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday marking the official handover to Meghalaya as the host of the 39th National Games in 2027.
The handover ceremony was held during the closing ceremony of the 38th National Games and was attended by medalists and members of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association at Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
Meghalaya created history during the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, bagging five medals – one gold, two silver and two bronze.
The hosting of the National Games in 2027 will be historic, as Meghalaya will celebrate its 55th year of statehood.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that in 2027, Meghalaya will host the Games in a unique way by including a few events in other North Eastern states.
“While most of the games will be held in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has a unique plan to spread a few disciplines to other parts of the North East. This is a very unique initiative and will go a long way in promoting unity among the North Eastern states,” he said while addressing the closing ceremony.
Shah also extended his greetings to Meghalaya for hosting the Games.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said, “hosting the 39th National Games will be a proud moment for Meghalaya and a reflection of how far we have come in strengthening our sporting ecosystem. From a single marquee sports facility in 2018 to over 200 infrastructure projects today, our commitment to sports has been unwavering. We have invested ₹1,200 crore in world-class venues, nurtured over 24,500 young athletes, and set our sights on producing Olympians by 2032. As we prepare for the Games, our focus remains on creating a lasting legacy that will inspire generations of athletes and elevate Meghalaya’s presence on the national sports stage.”
The Meghalaya delegation, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, included Dr. Vijay Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Affairs; John F. Kharshiing, President of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) and athletes and coaches from across the state.
 flag to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday marking the official handover to Meghalaya as the host of the 39th National Games in 2027.){kind=link}