Raksha Khadse visits SAI NEHU Shillong, reviews sports infrastructure and training
Synopsis
Union Minister Raksha Khadse's visit to SAI NEHU Shillong wasn't ceremonial — she picked up a bow, played football with athletes, and made a pointed pitch for the centre to become India's next elite high-altitude training destination. The North East, long on talent but short on infrastructure, may be getting a serious federal push.
Key Takeaways
Raksha Khadse , Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, visited the SAI NEHU Centre, Shillong on 28 May .
She reviewed Field of Play (FoP) facilities and ongoing training programmes across multiple sports disciplines.
Khadse participated in Indian round archery and football with athletes during the visit.
The Minister pitched SAI NEHU Shillong as a potential high-altitude training centre for elite national and international athletes.
Senior officials including Rajnish Mishra (SAI) and John Kharshing (Meghalaya Olympic Association) were present.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Thursday, 28 May visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Centre in Shillong, Meghalaya, where she reviewed the facility's sports infrastructure, training ecosystem, and athlete development programmes. The visit is part of the Ministry's broader push to strengthen grassroots sports across the North East.
Infrastructure Review and Training Assessment
Khadse toured the centre's various Field of Play (FoP) facilities, observing ongoing training activities across multiple disciplines. She held extensive interactions with coaches, young sportspersons, and support staff, urging athletes to pursue excellence with 'discipline, determination, and commitment.'
Present during the visit were Rajnish Mishra, Assistant Director, Sports Authority of India; John Kharshing, Working President, Meghalaya Olympic Association; and other officials and coaching staff.
Minister Joins Athletes on the Field
In a notable gesture of grassroots engagement, Khadse actively participated in sporting activities at the centre — trying her hand at Indian round archery and joining athletes for a game of football. The hands-on participation underscored the Ministry's emphasis on sports as a medium for social development beyond competitive outcomes.
North East's Sporting Potential in Focus
'The North East has immense sporting talent and a strong culture of sports participation. It is important that we continue strengthening infrastructure, coaching support, and athlete development pathways so that more young athletes from the region can excel at national and international levels,' Khadse said during the visit.
She also highlighted the centre's potential as a high-altitude training destination for elite athletes. 'This centre has tremendous potential for training elite athletes because of its natural beauty, peaceful environment, and pleasant weather conditions. With continued development and support, SAI NEHU Shillong can become an important high-altitude training centre for athletes preparing for national and international competitions,' she added.
Sports as a Tool for National Development
Khadse emphasised that sports play a 'transformative role' in shaping confident, disciplined, and resilient youth, and contribute to building leadership qualities, teamwork, and positive social engagement. This framing aligns with the Centre's stated approach of linking sports investment to broader human development goals in the region.
Notably, the North East has produced several national and international sporting champions in disciplines including boxing, archery, and football — making targeted infrastructure investment in the region a strategic priority for the Ministry. The SAI NEHU Shillong visit signals continued federal attention to the region's sports ecosystem ahead of upcoming national competitions.
Point of View
But Khadse's explicit framing of SAI NEHU Shillong as a future high-altitude training destination is worth watching. India currently lacks a dedicated, well-resourced high-altitude training facility in the North East — a gap that matters for endurance athletes. Whether this visit translates into capital allocation or remains a goodwill gesture will depend on the next Union Budget's sports infrastructure line. The North East's consistent production of elite archers, boxers, and footballers deserves more than periodic ministerial attention; it needs sustained funding and a credible athlete pathway.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Raksha Khadse visit SAI NEHU Shillong?
Raksha Khadse visited the SAI NEHU Centre in Shillong on 28 May to review its sports infrastructure, training activities, and athlete development ecosystem. The visit is part of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots sports in the North East region.
What is the SAI NEHU Centre in Shillong?
The SAI NEHU Centre is a Sports Authority of India facility located at North Eastern Hill University in Shillong, Meghalaya. It supports athlete training across multiple disciplines and is being considered for development as a high-altitude training destination for elite sportspersons.
What did Raksha Khadse say about North East sports talent?
Khadse said the North East has 'immense sporting talent and a strong culture of sports participation,' and called for continued investment in infrastructure, coaching support, and athlete development pathways to help more athletes from the region compete at national and international levels.
What activities did the Minister participate in during the visit?
Khadse tried her hand at Indian round archery and played football with athletes at the centre, signalling the Ministry's emphasis on grassroots sports engagement and participation beyond formal competition.
Who else was present during the Shillong SAI visit?
Rajnish Mishra, Assistant Director of the Sports Authority of India, and John Kharshing, Working President of the Meghalaya Olympic Association, were among the officials present, along with coaches and support staff.
