Shillong, Jan 15: In a heartening development for sports lovers, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has considered giving Meghalaya the opportunity to host the National Games 2027.
IOA president PT Usha revealed this during a video conferencing with chief minister Conrad Sangma.
The state had missed an opportunity to host the Games in 2022 when, due to lack of preparedness, the sporting extravaganza was shifted to Gujarat.
During the meeting with IOA president, the chief minister briefed her on the readiness and preparedness of the state to host the 39th National Games in 2027.
In the past four years, the state has invested in creation of sports infrastructures, including upgradation of JN Sports Complex in Shillong, Wahijher Stadium in Jaintia Hills and PA Sangma Integrated Sports Complex in Tura and various other sporting facilities, Sangma said in the meeting, which was also attended by officials of Meghalaya Olympic Association (MOA).
He also informed that Shillong had successfully hosted several sporting events including the North East Games in 2022, South Asian Games in 2016 and annually hosting Meghalaya Games in the past three years.
According to an agreement signed with IOA in 2018, Shillong was approved to be the host city along with Tura and Jowai for the National Games, said commissioner Sports & Youth Affairs D Vijay Kumar.
The National Games 2025 will be held in Uttarakhand and there will be no Games in 2026 as India will host that year.
