Even as Meghalaya accelerates preparations to host the 39th National Games in early 2027, all participating states—barring neighbouring Assam—have finalised the sports disciplines they intend to host, with Assam expected to take a call only after the conclusion of its elections, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said. The delay, he indicated, has not slowed the broader planning process, with Meghalaya and the other North Eastern states moving close to finalisation under the multi-state hosting model.
The Minister said infrastructure development across Meghalaya is progressing at a satisfactory pace, reflecting the state government’s readiness to stage the prestigious national sporting event. The Games are proposed to be conducted across more than 39 disciplines, with discussions also underway to include indigenous games, a move aimed at giving traditional sports a national platform and highlighting the region’s cultural identity.
Explaining the status of inter-state coordination, Shylla said, “Last time we had meeting, all other states have choosen except Assam, it seems because of the elections that’s why they are unable to choose but we are hopeful that after the elections which game they will host but as of now we are almost on a finalisation stage as most of the state have choosen what decipline they will choose.”
Meghalaya is set to host the National Games under a multi-state hosting concept involving all eight North Eastern states, an initiative backed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to showcase regional unity, optimise the use of existing infrastructure and project the North East’s sporting potential on a national stage.
As of early 2026, preparations are underway for 39 distinct sporting disciplines, with high-level coordination meetings being held to distribute the final disciplines among states based on infrastructure availability.
The Minister also announced that the Meghalaya Games will not be held this year and next year, as the state concentrates its resources and planning exclusively on ensuring the successful hosting of the National Games 2027.
