Shillong: The Meghalaya government is set to introduce the Sportsperson Direct Recruitment Policy, paving the way for athletes who excel at national and international competitions to secure government jobs without undergoing conventional recruitment procedures.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla announced that the policy is in its final stage, with the roster system and procedural details being completed.
Under the proposed framework, sportspersons who win medals at events such as the National Games, Asian Games, Olympics and Paralympics will be eligible for direct appointment to government service.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of the Umpling Sports Club at Dong Shaneng (Mawarling Football Ground), Shylla said the move would replace the earlier two per cent reservation system, under which medal-winning athletes had to compete among themselves for limited posts.
He said the previous arrangement often discouraged young players from pursuing sports seriously and reduced parental support for sporting careers.
Shylla highlighted a significant increase in budgetary support for the Sports Department, noting that annual allocations had remained between Rs 50 crore and Rs 60 crore for several years, constraining infrastructure and athlete support.
In the current financial year, the allocation has risen sharply to Rs 449 crore, signalling a major push towards sports development.
He said preparations are progressing for Meghalaya to host the National Games next year, which would make it the third state in the country to do so.
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Infrastructure projects are underway at New Shillong, funds have been released to sports associations, and the government is confident of completing all works within the stipulated timeline.
The minister also encouraged sports clubs to actively engage with the government and utilise available schemes.
Referring to Umpling Sports Club, he said the Mini Stadium has already been completed and assured that remaining requirements would be addressed promptly in coordination with local representatives.
The Umpling Sports Club had launched its golden jubilee celebrations in October 2024 with a flag-hoisting ceremony and various community programmes held at the Umpling Dorbar Shnong premises.
