Shillong, August 19 : The Government of Meghalaya has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation to roll out the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) across schools in the state. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony held in the Cabinet Room, Main Secretariat, Shillong, in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, Founder of the Foundation.
The MoU, signed by the Departments of Education and Sports & Youth Affairs, seeks to instill Olympic values and life skills among school children. Key officials present included Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs; D.D. Shira, Director, Sports & Youth Affairs; Banteilang Kharsandi, Director, School Education & Literacy; and members of the Meghalaya Olympic Association.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to youth development. “Sports is not just an activity — it shapes us, instills discipline, hard work and responsibility, and builds values that last a lifetime. With Shri Abhinav Bindra leading this initiative, our students will be motivated to embrace the values of excellence, friendship, and respect,” he remarked.
He assured full government support to ensure successful implementation of OVEP, emphasizing that with over 50% of Meghalaya’s population below 20 years, investing in youth through values-based education is a long-term priority.
In his address, Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra highlighted the transformative role of values-driven education in building character and shaping future leaders.
Developed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), OVEP leverages the universal appeal of sports and Olympic ideals to promote life-skills development, character building, and holistic education. Its introduction in Meghalaya is expected to benefit thousands of schoolchildren.
Following the MoU signing, Abhinav Futuristics Pvt. Ltd. presented a proposal for establishing a World-Class High Performance Sports Science and Injury Centre in Meghalaya. The facility will provide advanced training, rehabilitation, and sports science services, enabling state athletes to compete at national and international levels.
