SportsPosted at: Sep 16 2026 11:46PM


North East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2026 begins in Meghalaya

Shillong, Sep 16 (UNI) The North East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship kicked off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Sports Complex here in Meghalaya’s capital on Wednesday, with 250 top-tier shuttlers competing for the title.
Returning to Meghalaya for the first time since 2016, the tournament serves as the official qualifying ground for the team events of the highly anticipated National Games 2027, in Meghalaya.
The event is organised by the Meghalaya State Badminton Association (MSBA), under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Top-tier shuttlers representing all eight Northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—are set to battle it out on the court.
With each state contingent fielding meticulously selected players, the courts in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium saw intense competition across categories on the opening day.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Wailadmiki Shylla said that the return of this important championship to Shillong after ten long years comes at a highly opportune moment, as Meghalaya prepares to host the 39th National Games next year.
Emphasising the value of the exposure, he stated, "We do understand that champion is created from this kind of platform," reinforcing that youth need these opportunities and platforms to compete against other States.
He added that the State witnessed a surge in the Sports budget from a mere Rs 40 crore eight to nine years ago to a staggering Rs 844 crore.
The objective of this funding is to provide better infrastructure, platforms, and opportunities for the youth, alongside a hike in prize money that now awards Rs 2 lakh to National Games gold medallists.
Furthermore, Shylla underscored the transformative Meghalaya Outstanding Direct Appointment Policy, which guarantees direct government jobs to State athletes who secure medals at major events. This policy also allows athletes a grace period of up to ten years to pursue higher education or advance their sporting careers before taking up their appointed posts.
Turning to National Games preparations, he confirmed that a dedicated stipend will be provided to the final selected team to support their ongoing training.
He concluded by announcing a directive under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) to establish special provisions, ensuring athletes receive medical care and support for sports-related injuries throughout their journey.
The tournament was officially declared open by the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, followed by an oath-taking ceremony led by the captain of the Meghalaya Badminton Contingent.
Ace shuttler Ashmita Chaliha, the first Indian ever to win the Korea Masters Title, who is representing Assam in the tournament, commended the sports momentum as she returned to compete in Shillong at the North East Inter-State Badminton Championship after nearly a decade.
Expressing optimism regarding the host State's venue readiness and infrastructure build-up for the upcoming National Games next year, Chaliha highlighted the rise of grassroots talent across the region.
She observed that while young shuttlers are emerging through structured training, grooming and high-level match exposure will be essential to bridge the gap with elite circuits.
Fresh off his career-defining Men’s Singles title victory at the Cameroon International 2026 and a former U-17 national champion Mizoram’s H. Lalthazuala, expressed firm conviction in Team Mizoram’s title prospects.
Looking ahead to next year’s National Games in Meghalaya, the international champion commended the Chief Minister of Meghalaya for his proactive support of athletes, expressing immense enthusiasm to compete on the grand stage.
Beyond the competition, the successful hosting of the championship underscores a larger milestone for Meghalaya.
As the State prepares to host the 39th National Games next year, hosting a premier regional event of this scale functions as a practical demonstration of Shillong’s operational readiness.
The seamless execution of the tournament highlights the State's growing capacity to facilitate large-scale sports events and anchor national-level athletic infrastructure.
UNI RRK RN
Tags: #North East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2026 begins in Meghalaya
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