Raksha Khadse Holds High-Level Review Meeting on Sports and Youth Development in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 29, 2026: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse conducted a detailed review meeting with the Meghalaya Government to evaluate ongoing sports and youth development programmes and discuss ways to strengthen coordination between the Centre and the State.

The meeting was attended by Meghalaya Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Commissioner and Secretary Dr. Vijay Kumar D, senior state officials, representatives of the Sports Authority of India, Meghalaya State Olympic Association, and stakeholders connected with sports promotion and youth engagement in the state.

Key discussions focused on improving sports infrastructure, expanding grassroots talent identification programmes, increasing youth participation, and enhancing athlete development systems across Meghalaya.

During the presentation, state officials highlighted several initiatives aimed at supporting sports clubs, athletes, and youth organisations through financial assistance schemes, scholarship programmes, and development projects. According to the state government, around 900 athletes are currently benefiting under the State Sports Scholarship Scheme.

A major focus of the discussions was Meghalaya’s grassroots football programme under the Chief Minister’s Football Mission. Inspired by successful international football development models, the initiative currently operates through 125 grassroots centres and supports nearly 10,000 young athletes. Officials stated that the programme has played a significant role in producing footballers who have represented at the international level.

The review meeting also examined progress on major infrastructure projects, including the proposed Mawkhanu Football Stadium, which is expected to become one of the largest football venues in the North East. The stadium is also being considered as a potential venue for the opening ceremony of the National Games.

Other projects discussed included the Umsawli Sports Complex and the slalom course at Umtham. Officials informed that the Umtham facility is steadily emerging as a leading centre for water sports and slalom training in the country.

Raksha Khadse stressed the need to strengthen grassroots sports ecosystems and ensure better integration of Central and State-level schemes to maximise impact. She also underlined the importance of developing Khelo India-accredited academies and aligning sports infrastructure with athlete training systems to create long-term opportunities for emerging sportspersons.

The meeting additionally reviewed youth-focused programmes such as the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Scheme for Students (YESS Meghalaya), which supports organisations involved in youth development activities.

Discussions were also held on the role of MY Bharat in encouraging volunteer participation for upcoming sporting events, including the National Games, through its digital engagement platform.

Representatives of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association and various sports bodies participated in the interaction and shared suggestions related to athlete development, sports administration, and long-term planning for state-level competitions such as the Meghalaya Games.

Raksha Khadse reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to working closely with Meghalaya to strengthen sports infrastructure, athlete support mechanisms, and youth development initiatives across the state and the wider North Eastern region.

She stated that Meghalaya possesses strong sporting talent and an energetic youth population, adding that collaborative efforts between governments, sports institutions, and local organisations would play a crucial role in promoting a stronger sporting culture in the country.