Shillong, Sep 16: Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association claimed first place at the end of the Meghalaya State Senior Athletics Championship 2026 as the three-day event came to a close at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU Shillong campus here.
Ri-Bhoi finished the championship, being held after 18 years, with 9 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze medals. West Jaintia were a close second with 7 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze, while East Khasi Hills came third after securing 5 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze.
Every one of the 12 districts earned at least two medals to take home with them from the championship, which was organised by the Meghalaya Athletics Association with the support of the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs.
In addition, the Best Athlete award went to Eliam Bonkam G Sangma of South West Garo Hills (male) and Phibakmen Rynghang of Ri-Bhoi (female). The two Most Promising Athletes were Lastly Suchiang of East Jaintia Hills (male) and Monlangki Kyndait of West Jaintia Hills (female).
The chief guest at the closing ceremony was Glynis Leanne Nunn, an Olympic gold-winning heptathlete who represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The guest of honour was Meghalaya State Olympic Association Working President John F Kharshiing.
Nunn has been in Meghalaya sharing her expertise through the MSOA and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for the development of local talent with an eye on the 39th National Games next year.
From the small town of Toowoomba, which even today has a population of just 1.5 lakh, Nunn said that if she can make it to the Olympics then any one of the 267 athletes who took part in this championship can get there too.
“I was so excited to see some wonderful performances. I came from a small country town, so it can be done provided you have commitment, dedication and resilience in putting in the hours you need,” Nunn said. “Sport and competition teaches you lessons, both when you win and also when you don’t because then it shows you what you need to improve on. The main thing I learned from my sport is that you have to enjoy it.”
Kharshiing, meanwhile, said that the importance of sport goes beyond the medals.
“More than medals, it is a fitness thing. It is never a waste of time but an investment in your career,” he said. “I hope we are going from strength to strength and that personal bests are improving. I hope you go back to your districts and encourage others to take up athletics.”
Looking ahead to the National Games, Kharshiing said that he “looks forward to Meghalaya rising to the occasion” when it hosts the mega event next year “and being able to compete with the rest of the country. We are very lucky to have a Chief Minister and Sports Minister who continue to invest in sports.”
(Meghalaya Athletics Association photo. Champions Ri-Bhoi with dignitaries and officials)