Shillong, Nov 5: Meghalaya is stepping up preparations to host the 39th National Games in March 2027, with 39 sporting disciplines proposed to be conducted across Shillong, Jowai and Tura. The State Government signed the hosting agreement on May 30, 2026, marking a major milestone in the state’s preparations for the prestigious national sporting event.
As part of the preparations, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) constituted the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) on October 14, 2026, under the chairpersonship of Sunaina Kumari. The five-member committee visited Meghalaya from November 2 to 5 to inspect proposed competition venues and assess the progress of preparations.
Addressing a press conference in Shillong on Thursday, GTCC Chairperson Sunaina Kumari expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, stating that the committee had visited several sporting venues in Shillong and Jowai and was encouraged by the infrastructure development and arrangements undertaken by the state.
She highlighted the coordination among government departments, sports officials and other stakeholders, noting that all were working towards the common objective of ensuring the successful conduct of the Games. She also appreciated the State Government and the Sports Department for their cooperation and hospitality.
Kumari expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, both Deputy Chief Ministers, Sports Minister Dr Vijay Kumar and other government officials for their support. She assured that the committee would continue to extend technical guidance and assistance to Meghalaya throughout the preparation process.
Meanwhile, the State Government has proposed 39 sporting disciplines for the Games. However, the proposed list remains provisional, with the final decision on the inclusion of disciplines resting with the Indian Olympic Association in consultation with the Games Technical Conduct Committee.
The proposed disciplines include archery, athletics, aquatics, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, lawn bowls, modern pentathlon, netball, rowing, rugby, shooting, squash, sailing, triathlon, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, yogasana, arm wrestling, Muay Thai, sport climbing and softball.
The proposed inclusion of Taekwondo will also be subject to the IOA’s final decision, taking into consideration the potential of local athletes.
The sporting events are proposed to be distributed across various venues in Shillong, Jowai and Tura. These include the J.N. Sports Complex, Shillong Golf Club, NEHU campus, Umiam Lake and other sports facilities in the three locations. The J.N. Sports Complex is also proposed to host the opening ceremony.
The State Government has made significant investments in sports infrastructure and athlete development, while extending support to various sports associations. Athletes are also being provided access to professional coaches, nutritionists and physiotherapists to strengthen their preparation and improve performance.
The recently inaugurated High Performance Sports Science Centre at the J.N. Sports Complex is expected to further strengthen athlete development through performance assessments, specialised training and rehabilitation facilities.
On the administrative front, regular review meetings are being conducted in coordination with the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) to ensure accountability and effective functioning of sports associations. Efforts are also underway to address concerns raised by associations and strengthen preparations at the grassroots level.
With infrastructure development, athlete support and coordination among various stakeholders gaining momentum, Meghalaya is working towards delivering a successful 39th National Games in March 2027.
