Shillong, Sep 17: Wailadmiki Shylla, the MLA for Jowai, has been named as the new Sports & Youth Affairs Minister of Meghalaya.
The announcement was made today following yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle. He takes over from Shakliar Warjri, who held the portfolio from 2023.
Although he has had quasi-official roles before, like being Chairman of MUDA, this is Shylla’s first ministerial post. Still only in his 30s, he has also been given charge of the Health & Family Welfare and Home (Passport) departments.
The big sporting event on the horizon is the National Games in 2027, which Meghalaya is set to host. Infrastructure still needs to be completed, athletes trained and actually hosting all the thousands of athletes will be another level of difficulty.
People of Jowai might also hope that his appointment will lead to an improvement in sports infrastructure, such as the Kiang Nangbah Stadium. Shylla’s brother-in-law and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had in 2023 promised Rs 25 crore for upgrades and renovation of the stadium, which is desperately in need of improvements.
In recent years the brand new Wahiajer Multipurpose Sports Complex (in Dhar’s constituency of Nartiang) has eclipsed the Kiang Nangbah Stadium in terms of infrastructure and prestige.
(File photo)
