Shillong, Sept 14: The Meghalaya State Senior Athletics Championship 2026 began today, with 267 athletes from all 12 districts gathering in Shillong in a search for glory and honour while demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship.
Ri-Bhoi took the early lead on the opening day, with 6 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Eastern West Khasi Hills are currently second with 2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze, while West Jaintia Hills are third with 1 gold and 3 silver.
The three-day event is organised by the Meghalaya Athletics Association (MAA) with the support of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU Shillong campus here.
The championship returns after a generation, with the last being held 18 years ago, MAA Senior Vice-President EMH Passah said in his welcome speech. He thanked the Directorate specifically and the Meghalaya government more generally for enabling the event to be able to take place. The championship is part of the concerted efforts of the MAA and state government in scouting for talent ahead of next year’s 39th National Games, which will be hosted by Meghalaya.
In his speech, the chief guest, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Alertson Nongbri, agreed that this is the right time to revive the championship. “The best of you will be representing our state at the National Games,” he told the athletes directly.
Nongbri also referred to the state government’s introduction of a structured scholarship programme, cash award scheme and job incentives for successful sportspersons. “The government aims for an Olympian from Meghalaya by 2032 and who will be that superstar? It is you,” he told the athletes, adding that they must dream big because nothing is impossible.
In all 166 male and 101 female athletes have signed up for 37 different track and field disciplines. There are also 120 technical officials involved, including from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The oath on behalf of all participants was taken by West Jaintia Hills sprinter Renaldi Dhar.
Bright sunny weather in the early part of the day gave way to heavy rain in the final session, which required runners to adapt to the change in the 100m men’s and women’s finals and 1500m men’s and women’s finals.
Monlangki Kyndait of WJH won the women’s 1500m in 5 minutes 25.86 seconds, while Marshal Wanniang of EWKH took the men’s gold medal in 4 minutes 8.29 seconds. Gold in the women’s 100m sprint was won by Ri-Bhoi’s Phibakmen Rynghang (13.07 sec), while Banraplang Lapang (also Ri-Bhoi) bagged the men’s gold in 11.02 seconds.
