Shillong, May 31: Meghalaya’s sporting infrastructure received a major boost on Saturday with the inauguration of the Integrated Multipurpose Indoor Hall at the J.N. Sports Complex in Shillong, a state-of-the-art facility expected to play a pivotal role in the 39th National Games in 2027 and the long-term development of sports in the state.
The facility was inaugurated by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Meghalaya Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and Indian Olympic Association president P. T. Usha.
Built at a cost of ₹132.9 crore, the Integrated Multipurpose Indoor Hall is among the finest indoor sporting facilities in the country. Remarkably, the project was completed in about two-and-a-half years despite the challenges posed by Meghalaya’s terrain and weather conditions, reflecting what officials described as efficient planning and execution. The project has been funded by the New Development Bank (NDB) under the externally aided Meghalaya Ecotourism Infrastructure Development Project (MEIDP).
The facility is competition-ready and has been designed to host basketball and kabaddi events during the 39th National Games in 2027. However, officials stressed that the hall’s significance extends far beyond the multi-sport event.
Plans are already in place to establish a High-Performance Sports Science Centre within the complex. The centre will provide advanced services in biomechanics, performance analytics, sports medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition and sports psychology, giving Meghalaya’s athletes access to scientific training and support systems that are often available only in the country’s major sporting hubs.
Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya said the facility represented a significant investment in the future of sports in Meghalaya and the Northeast. He noted that the region has consistently produced exceptional athletes despite its relatively small population and emphasised the need for world-class infrastructure to unlock its full sporting potential.
The Union minister also announced plans for a ₹150-crore high-altitude training centre in Meghalaya, which is expected to further strengthen the state’s position as an emerging hub for sports development in India.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma reaffirmed Meghalaya’s commitment to establishing itself as a leading sporting hub in India. He stated that the development of world-class infrastructure and the hosting of national and international events will transform the State’s sports ecosystem and create new opportunities for its youth. Highlighting the sustained efforts of the past eight years, he urged young athletes to make the most of the historic opportunity to compete on home soil and bring glory to the State, adding that hosting the 39th National Games is just the beginning of a long-term vision to build a strong and lasting sports culture in Meghalaya.
The Integrated Multipurpose Indoor Hall forms part of a wider transformation of sporting infrastructure underway across Meghalaya. Several major projects are currently under construction, including the Umsawli Sports Complex, the P. A. Sangma Sports Complex in Tura and the landmark Mawkhanu Football Stadium, which is expected to become the largest dedicated football stadium in the Northeast upon completion.
These developments come at a time when Meghalaya is rapidly building a reputation as a host of major sporting events. From co-hosting the 2016 South Asian Games alongside Assam to staging the Durand Cup, AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, I-League matches and numerous national championships, the state has steadily expanded its sporting footprint over the past decade.
