NE Badminton Championship returns to Meghalaya after 10 years, sets stage for National Games 2027
Shillong, Sep 16
The North East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2026 began in Shillong on Wednesday, bringing together over 250 shuttlers from the region's eight states and providing a crucial competitive platform ahead of Meghalaya's hosting of the 39th National Games in 2027.
Organised by the Meghalaya State Badminton Association (MSBA) under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), the four-day championship is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Sports Complex from September 16 to 19.
The tournament returns to Meghalaya after a decade and serves as the official qualifying event for the team competitions at the National Games.
Inaugurating the championship, Meghalaya Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla highlighted the importance of competitive exposure in developing sporting talent.
"We do understand that champion is created from this kind of platform," Shylla said, emphasising the need to provide young athletes opportunities to compete against players from other states. The Minister said Meghalaya's sports budget had increased from Rs 40 crore eight to nine years ago to Rs 844 crore, with investments aimed at strengthening infrastructure and creating opportunities for athletes.
He also highlighted the state's policy of direct government appointments for athletes winning medals at major events, along with increased prize money, including Rs 2 lakh for National Games gold medallists. A dedicated stipend for the final National Games team and special medical provisions under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme for sports-related injuries were also announced.
Ace shuttler Ashmita Chaliha, representing Assam, welcomed the championship's return to Shillong and stressed the importance of structured training and high-level match exposure for emerging players.
"Enjoy what you play, give your absolute best on the court without taking the pressure of winning or losing, and the results will naturally follow," she advised athletes.
Mizoram's H. Lalthazuala, fresh from winning the Men's Singles title at the Cameroon International 2026, expressed confidence in his team's prospects.
The championship also serves as a practical test of Meghalaya's preparedness to host major sporting events ahead of next year's National Games.
— IANS
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