Shillong, June 16: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday said the Meghalaya government plans to introduce football leagues across all 56 blocks in the state to keep young people engaged in sports and steer them away from anti-social activities.
Speaking at the Meghalaya Sports Conclave 2026, Sangma said the initiative is part of the government’s broader vision of making sports a way of life while creating opportunities for young people at the grassroots level.
The Chief Minister said he wants children and teenagers from villages across the state to look forward to participating in local league matches every week. “I want our youth in villages to look forward to their block-level league matches, practise after school during the week and stay focused on sports rather than getting drawn towards negative influences,” he said.
Sangma said the proposed leagues would ensure that sporting opportunities are available to young people regardless of where they live.
While winning medals remains a long-term objective, he stressed that encouraging participation and keeping youth positively engaged is an equally important goal. “Even if we are able to help a child stay connected to sports and away from negative elements by giving them something to look forward to every week, that itself is an important achievement,” he said.
Describing grassroots sports as the foundation of the state’s long-term development strategy, Sangma said small interventions at the local level can have a significant impact on society. “Every small step contributes to the larger vision we have for our state,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the government’s sports policy extends beyond supporting elite athletes and focuses on creating opportunities for every child in Meghalaya. “The story is not just about the athletes who compete at the highest level, but about every single child and youth in our state,” he said. Linking sports to the state’s broader development goals, Sangma said investments in youth and grassroots programmes would help build a stronger Meghalaya and contribute to nation-building.
The proposed block-level leagues are expected to play a key role in the state’s efforts to strengthen grassroots football and expand sporting opportunities ahead of the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host in 2027.
