Meghalaya has invested about Rs 1,000 crore since signing the Host City Contract, creating 200+ sports facilities across grassroots and elite levels… Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, Jan 29: The state government has sought Rs 100 crore as Central grant for hosting the 39th National Games in Meghalaya next year.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, asked for the assistance, stating, “The State requests ₹100 crore as financial assistance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, to support Games-related preparations, operations, and inter State coordination, in view of the scale, complexity, and expanded regional hosting responsibility.”
Proposing an “upfront hosting grant framework” for host states of National Games, the document presented to the Prime Minister stated, “The State proposes the introduction of a one-time, upfront hosting grant framework for National Games host States, commencing with the 39th National Games, to enable effective planning, timely execution, and sustained legacy creation.”
Sangma also emphasized that Meghalaya’s hosting of the 39th National Games in 2027 is a major national milestone, bringing one of India’s largest multi-sport events to the North-East and creating enduring sports infrastructure and capacity.
He informed that the State has invested about Rs 1,000 crore since signing the Host City Contract, creating 200+ sports facilities across grassroots and elite levels, and has committed another Rs 1,900 crore over the next three years.
“By 2028, the State will have 500+ facilities across blocks, districts, and State hubs – including India’s largest football stadium, the first natural slalom course, and world-class aquatics and gymnastics complexes – building a scalable, inclusive sports ecosystem,” Sangma stated.
Aligned with the national vision announced at the 38th National Games, the chief minister announced that several disciplines of the 39th National Games will be hosted across neighbouring North-Eastern States.
“While this promotes regional inclusion, Meghalaya will fund all costs – accommodation, catering, transport, event operations, branding, and field-of-play readiness – across these venues, raising the overall Games budget to approximately Rs 400 crore,” he said while justifying the government’s request for Centre’s support.
