SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced on Twitter on November 8 that the eagerly anticipated 5th edition of the Meghalaya Games will be hosted for the first time in Tura, from January 15 to January 20, 2024. This announcement comes after the 4th edition of the Meghalaya Games took place in 2022 at various sports facilities in the state capital, Shillong.
The 2022 Meghalaya Games, held as part of the 50th Statehood Day Celebrations, featured an action-packed five days of sporting events that spanned 19 disciplines. These events were conducted at 13 different venues and involved the enthusiastic participation of 3,000 athletes, both individually and as part of various team competitions.
A grand total of over 700 medals were awarded to participants who displayed their talents and skills in this statewide sporting extravaganza, which has gained significant prominence in the region.
During the inauguration ceremony of the 4th edition of the Meghalaya Games in 2022, CM Sangma revealed his vision for the future of the games. He stated that the next edition of the Meghalaya Games would be held in Tura in 2023, followed by Jowai in the subsequent year. However, in an unusual turn of events, the Meghalaya Games could not be held in 2023, resulting in their postponement to 2024.
The Meghalaya Games, which originally began with just nine disciplines in 2001 and expanded to 12 disciplines in 2004, faced a 16-year hiatus until 2020 when the state government decided to resurrect this important statewide event. Since its revival, the Games have continued to grow in stature, encompassing 14 disciplines in 2020 and now boasting 19 different sports.
The ever-increasing interest and success of the Meghalaya Games have prompted numerous sports associations to express their desire to be included in the next edition, further solidifying its reputation as a premier sporting event in the region.
As anticipation builds for the 5th edition of the Meghalaya Games, all eyes are now on Tura, as it prepares to host this prestigious event for the very first time in 2024. Sports enthusiasts and athletes from across the state eagerly await the competition, which promises to be a spectacular showcase of Meghalaya’s sporting accomplishment.