SHILLONG: President Droupadi Murmu officially inaugurated the 5th Meghalaya Games at the PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, on Monday.
Addressing the gathered athletes and officials, President Murmu acknowledged the untapped potential of Northeast in sports development.
“Meghalaya Games will encourage athletes for excellence, promote competitiveness, and create a vibrant sporting ecosystem,” she added.
She commended the region’s strong sports culture, particularly among the tribal population, expressing the need to support and groom talent from tribal areas into professional sportspersons.
“Diversity is the beauty of our nation, and we should utilise it to further boost India’s global image in the sports arena,” President Murmu declared.
She highlighted the urgent need to encourage women to pursue sports professionally, noting the significant contributions of Northeast to India’s sports landscape, including achievements in prestigious international tournaments such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
She also shared that she recently conferred the Arjuna award to hockey player Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Wushu player Naorem Roshibina Devi, recognising their contributions to Indian sports.
President Murmu underlined the potential of adventure sports and adventure tourism in the region, urging the exploration and prioritisation of these opportunities.
In a notable moment, President Murmu took the podium again after her official speech, expressing gratitude in Hindi to the attendees for patiently waiting for over three hours in the cold winter evening for the inaugural ceremony.
The 5th Meghalaya Games, hosting nearly 3000 athletes competing in 23 disciplines across 16 venues in Tura over six days, promises to be a landmark event.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in his address, deemed the day historic, highlightng the event’s significance for the future of the state’s youth.
“As a state government, we believe in investing in our youth and providing them with the right opportunities. This event is a celebration of the state’s youth, its culture, and a symbol of unity,” Chief Minister Sangma concluded.
The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Governor of Meghalaya Phagu Chauhan, Speaker Thomas A Sangma, Tura MP Agatha Sangma, Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak, Power Minister A T Mondal, along with other cabinet ministers and state officials.
The event, which marked the debut of the games in Tura and outside Shillong, witnessed the inclusion of traditional indigenous games.
