Shillong, November 5: Meghalaya has proposed 39 sporting disciplines for the 39th National Games, tentatively scheduled to be held from March 10 to 30, 2027, with events planned across Shillong, Tura and Jowai, as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) reviews the state’s preparations for the prestigious sporting event. The State Government, which signed the hosting agreement on May 30, 2026, has intensified preparations for the Games, focusing on infrastructure development, venue readiness, athlete training and coordination among sports associations and government departments.
As part of the preparations, a five-member Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC), constituted by the IOA on October 14, 2026, visited Meghalaya from November 2 to 5 to inspect proposed competition venues and assess the progress of preparations. The committee, headed by Chairperson Sunaina Kumari, comprises Ravinder Choudhary, Maninder Pal Singh, V. Sunil Kumar and Dushyant Sharma.
Addressing a press conference in Shillong on Thursday, Kumari expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the state, particularly in developing sporting infrastructure and preparing facilities for the Games. She said the committee had inspected several proposed competition venues in Shillong and Jowai and was encouraged by the arrangements undertaken by the State Government. Kumari also appreciated the coordination among government departments, sports officials and other stakeholders, stating that their collective efforts would be crucial to ensuring the successful conduct of the Games. She thanked Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, both Deputy Chief Ministers, Sports Minister, Dr. Vijay Kumar and other government officials for their cooperation and support.
The GTCC Chairperson assured that the committee would continue providing technical guidance and assistance to Meghalaya throughout the preparation process and would inspect additional venues during subsequent visits. On the proposal to distribute certain sporting disciplines across other northeastern states, Kumari said such an initiative would encourage wider participation, generate enthusiasm for sports and contribute to the development of sporting infrastructure across the region. She further informed that athletes participating in the Games would be accommodated in facilities located close to their respective competition venues instead of being housed in a centralised Games Village. The committee has already inspected several accommodation facilities, which will be shortlisted based on their suitability and proximity to competition venues.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) Working President John F. Kharshiing informed that the state has proposed hosting 39 sporting disciplines, with 25 events planned in and around Shillong, seven in Tura and two to three in the Jaintia Hills region.
However, he clarified that the proposed distribution and the final list of sporting disciplines are yet to receive approval from the IOA. The proposed disciplines include archery, athletics, aquatics, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, lawn bowls, modern pentathlon, netball, rowing, rugby, shooting, squash, sailing, triathlon, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, yogasana, arm wrestling, Muay Thai, sport climbing and softball. The proposed inclusion of taekwondo will also be subject to the IOA’s final decision, taking into consideration the potential of local athletes. The final list of sporting disciplines will be determined by the IOA in consultation with the Games Technical Conduct Committee.
Among the proposed venues are the J.N. Sports Complex, Shillong Golf Club, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) campus, Umiam Lake and other sporting facilities in Shillong, Tura and Jowai. The J.N. Sports Complex has also been proposed as the venue for the opening ceremony.
On the administrative front, Kharshiing informed that the State Government has constituted a supervision and monitoring committee to oversee preparations for the Games. He said the committee is headed by the Director as Chairman and the Joint Secretary as Co-Chairman, along with other members responsible for monitoring and supervising various aspects of the preparations.
Kharshiing said the MSOA regularly conducts review meetings to identify challenges, address concerns raised by sports associations and ensure that preparations remain on track. He further informed that funds allocated for the Games are being monitored by the concerned department to ensure accountability. Expressing gratitude to the State Government, Kharshiing said support has also been extended to sports associations through the appointment of young professionals to improve their administrative functioning. He explained that the initiative is intended to help sports associations maintain proper records, manage accounts and submit necessary information to the department in accordance with prescribed standard formats.
According to him, the government has extended support to active sports associations representing more than 30 disciplines, while other associations seeking recognition have submitted their proposals to the concerned authorities. Kharshiing said the MSOA would take a final decision regarding participation in the various disciplines once the IOA releases the confirmed list of events.
Meanwhile, the State Government has made significant investments in sports infrastructure and athlete development as part of its preparations for the National Games. Athletes are being provided access to professional coaches, nutritionists and physiotherapists to strengthen their training and improve their competitive performance.
The recently inaugurated High Performance Sports Science Centre at the J.N. Sports Complex is also expected to play an important role in athlete development by offering performance assessments, specialised training and rehabilitation facilities. With the Games tentatively scheduled for March 10 to 30, 2027, Meghalaya is intensifying its preparations to ensure that competition venues, accommodation facilities, sporting infrastructure and administrative arrangements are ready for the national event.
The State Government, MSOA and IOA’s technical committee are expected to continue coordinating closely as Meghalaya prepares to host the 39th National Games.
