Shillong, Sept 14: Meghalaya’s State Senior Athletics Championship made a long-awaited return on Monday, with 267 athletes from all 12 districts converging in Shillong to compete for honours and showcase their sporting talent.
Ri-Bhoi made the strongest start on the opening day, topping the medal standings with six gold, one silver and one bronze. Eastern West Khasi Hills followed with two gold, one silver and two bronze, while West Jaintia Hills occupied third place with one gold and three silver medals.
Organised by the Meghalaya Athletics Association (MAA) with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, the three-day championship is being held at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU Shillong campus.
The return of the state’s senior championship marks a significant revival, with the previous edition having been held 18 years ago, MAA Senior Vice-President EMH Passah said in his welcome address. He expressed gratitude to the Directorate and the Meghalaya government for supporting the revival of the event.
The championship also forms part of the MAA and state government’s efforts to identify and develop talent ahead of next year’s 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host.
Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Alertson Nongbri, the chief guest at the opening ceremony, said the revival had come at the right time, particularly with the National Games on the horizon.
“The best of you will be representing our state at the National Games,” Nongbri told the athletes.
He also highlighted the state government’s introduction of structured scholarships, cash awards and employment incentives for successful sportspersons. Setting an ambitious target, Nongbri said the government aims to produce an Olympian from Meghalaya by 2032 and urged the athletes to dream big.
“The government aims for an Olympian from Meghalaya by 2032 and who will be that superstar? It is you,” he told the participants, stressing that they should believe that nothing is impossible.
The championship has attracted 166 male and 101 female athletes competing across 37 track and field disciplines. Around 120 technical officials, including officials from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), are also involved in conducting the competition.
West Jaintia Hills sprinter Renaldi Dhar took the oath on behalf of all participating athletes at the opening ceremony.
Weather conditions added another challenge on the opening day. Bright sunshine during the earlier sessions gave way to heavy rain later in the day, forcing athletes to adapt during the men’s and women’s 100m finals as well as the 1500m finals.
On the track, Monlangki Kyndait of West Jaintia Hills won the women’s 1500m gold in 5:25.86, while Eastern West Khasi Hills’ Marshal Wanniang took the men’s title in 4:08.29.
Ri-Bhoi enjoyed further success in the 100m, with Phibakmen Rynghang winning the women’s gold in 13.07 seconds and Banraplang Lapang taking the men’s title in 11.02 seconds.
The championship continues until Wednesday, with athletes competing across the remaining events for state honours and a chance to catch the selectors’ eye ahead of the National Games.
