Shillong, Feb 11: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) flag of the National Games will be formally handed over to Meghalaya, the next host of the National Games 2027, on February 14 in Uttarakhand.
Chief minister Conrad Sangma along with sports minister Shakliar Warjri will receive the IOA flag from union home minister Amit Shah at the closing ceremony of 38th National Games being held at Halwandi, Uttarakhand.
Meanwhile, the official letter from IOA confirming Meghalaya as the host for 39th National Games was received by the state government on Tuesday.
The Games will take place in either in February or March, according to the letter signed by IOA president PT Usha.
After Meghalaya’s loss of the opportunity to host the Games in 2022 due to various reasons including COVID-19 pandemic, this confirmation from IOA has been regarded as an endorsement to the state’s capacity and dedication to host the mega event.
“The decision to allocate the hosting rights to Meghalaya is a recognition of the state’s dedication to sports development and its ability to organise a prestigious event like the National Games,” stated the letter addressed to chief minister Conrad K Sangma.
The National Games serve as a platform to showcase sporting talent from across the country while also fostering infrastructure development and strengthening the sports culture in the host state.
Expressing confidence in Meghalaya’s ability to deliver a successful and memorable edition, the IOA assured its full support in ensuring the smooth execution of the event.
“It would be a momentous occasion to officially mark the beginning of Meghalaya’s preparations for the Games,” the letter added.
Although there is no official confirmation yet, Shillong is expected to serve as the main sports city hosting major sporting events with the upgrade of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Additionally, other venues such as PA Sangma Stadium in Tura and Wahiajer Sports Stadium in Jowai are also expected to host key events.
