Shillong, July 30: A 73-member contingent from the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA) will represent the state at the Indian Challenger Cup 2026, scheduled to be held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata from July 31 to August 2. The team will be led by coaches Donboklang Lyngdoh, Mingson Rymbai, Greater E.M. Kharpuri and Pynhunlang Kharbuli.
The championship will see Meghalaya’s karatekas compete across various kata and kumite categories, ranging from the 12-year age group to the senior division. The association has expressed confidence in the squad and wished the athletes success at the national-level event.
Adding further significance to the state’s participation, 27 karatekas selected under Meghalaya’s Team Preparation Programme for the 39th National Games 2027 will also compete in the championship.
Their participation forms part of an Exposure Camp sanctioned by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, with the objective of providing the athletes valuable match experience against top competitors from across the country as they prepare for the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host in 2027.
The exposure is expected to play an important role in assessing the athletes’ readiness, identifying areas for improvement and strengthening the state’s preparations ahead of the National Games.
The Indian Challenger Cup is one of the major domestic karate tournaments on the national calendar and offers young and senior athletes an opportunity to test themselves against some of the country’s best practitioners.
The complete list of 73 selected karatekas includes participants in both kata and kumite events across multiple age groups.
