Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Friday, 29 May chaired a high-level review meeting in Shillong with Meghalaya Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, to evaluate the state's ongoing sports and youth development programmes and chart a roadmap for deeper Centre-state collaboration.

Senior officials from the Government of Meghalaya, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA), and other stakeholders attended the session.

Key Developments from the Meeting

Discussions covered Meghalaya's broader sports ecosystem, encompassing youth engagement, grassroots infrastructure, and athlete development pipelines. The state government outlined grant-based support for sports clubs and associations, targeted youth development schemes, and scholarship programmes. Officials confirmed that nearly 900 athletes are currently receiving support under the State Sports Scholarship Scheme.

The meeting also reviewed the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Scheme for Students (YESS Meghalaya), under which clubs and organisations running youth-focused programmes receive financial and institutional backing. The role of the MY Bharat platform in expanding volunteer engagement — particularly for upcoming events including the National Games — was also discussed.

Chief Minister's Football Mission in Focus

A significant portion of the review was devoted to Meghalaya's flagship Chief Minister's Football Mission, which draws from South American football development models. The initiative currently operates through 125 grassroots centres, supports close to 10,000 athletes, and has contributed to the emergence of several international footballers from the state. Officials described the mission as a replicable model for grassroots talent identification in the North East.

Infrastructure Projects Under Review

The meeting examined progress on several infrastructure projects central to Meghalaya's sporting ambitions. The Mawkhanu Football Stadium — envisioned as one of the largest football venues in the region — is being considered as a potential venue for the opening ceremony of the National Games. The Umsawli Sports Complex and the Slalom Course at Umtham were also reviewed. Officials noted that the Umtham slalom facility is emerging as one of the country's premier venues for water sports and slalom training.

What Khadse Emphasised

Khadse stressed the need to strengthen grassroots sports ecosystems, promote youth participation, and ensure convergence between Central and state programmes for maximum impact. She specifically called for reinforcing Khelo India-accredited academies and aligning state infrastructure with athlete development systems to build stronger pathways for emerging sportspersons. She also underscored Meghalaya's immense sporting potential and the importance of coordinated action between the Centre, state government, sports institutions, and community organisations.

Discussions on the Meghalaya Games and long-term athlete development planning rounded out the agenda. Khadse reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to working closely with the state to advance sports infrastructure, athlete support systems, and youth development across Meghalaya and the wider North East.