With nearly 18 lakh children below the age of 20 accounting for around 50% of Meghalaya’s population, and with the State’s pyramid-shaped population structure placing Gen Alpha and Gen Beta as the largest demographic segments while Gen Z has become a minority, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday said the demographic profile presents both an opportunity and a challenge, making it imperative for the government to create institutions, sporting infrastructure and livelihood opportunities capable of meeting the aspirations of a rapidly expanding young population. As Meghalaya prepares to host the National Games in 2027, he said investments in sports are part of a larger strategy to shape the future of the State’s youth and harness its demographic advantage.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Meghalaya Sports Conclave 2026 in Shillong, Sangma said, “The kind of shape that we are able to give to the 18 lakhs under 20 years of age children, which is 50 percent of our population which is below the age of 20 years.”
Highlighting Meghalaya’s unique demographic profile, he said, “A lot of people talk about Gen Z, you will be surprised to know Meghalaya is actually Gen Alpha majority, so we have a pyramid shape population structure. The maximum population is Gen Beta and Gen Alpha and then comes Gen Z, I am sorry about Gen Z but you are minority now in the state of Meghalaya.”
Sangma said the government’s focus is on preparing for future challenges arising from the State’s growing youth population. “Therefore it is even more important for us to create the institutional system… to take care of the challenges when the time comes with the huge population suddenly migrated into colleges and looking for livelihood and different sports opportunities need to be put up. That’s really driving us.”
Describing the conclave as a platform for consultation and policy formulation, the Chief Minister said, “So, coming through this particular conference, we are here to listen.”
“I would like to hear constructive Criticism, I would like to hear a actionable points. Youths needs it and that is why it motivated is to. Create sports policy. It’s about youths and that’s why we are investing,” he added.
The Chief Minister said sports forms a critical part of the government’s larger vision for youth empowerment and social transformation. “Why am I pushing football so much? I have already given an order to have league football matches at the block level, we have 56 C&RD blocks in the state,” he said.
“Youths spending his or her time focusing on Sports rather than youths going and doing other anti social elements,” Sangma said.
“While I want medals, if I can even help and support and give an option to that child to be able to look forward to that league match, and take him or her away from the other negative elements, I feel and I believe that that is self is one of the important achievements that we have done,” he added.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to athletes, Sangma said, “For me, the athletes sitting here Are important, all of you are important, and we will do everything into support you.”
“But again, as I said, the story is not just a about you, the story is about every single child and Youth in our state,” he said.
“We would like to see that we are able to give an opportunity So that we can build a better and stronger Meghalaya and a bigger and better stronger Meghalaya will make a better and a bigger and a stronger India,” he added.
The conclave, organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs under the theme “Ideas. Innovation. Impact.”, brought together athletes, coaches, sports administrators and renowned sports personalities from across the country. The event assumes significance as Meghalaya accelerates preparations for hosting the National Games in 2027, which the State government views as a transformative opportunity to strengthen sporting infrastructure, identify talent, create livelihoods and build a comprehensive sports ecosystem. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla attended the programme as Guest of Honour, while legislators M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Gabriel Wahlang, Mizanur Rahman Kazi and Ollan Singh Suin were also present, alongside officials, athletes and sports personalities.
