Shillong, Aug 13: South West Khasi Hills held off the competition to emerge as the top district at the Meghalaya State Archery Championship 2026 with a total of 25 medals as the three-day event came to a conclusion today.
More than 200 archers and officials from all 12 districts participated in the championship, which was organised by the Archery Association of Meghalaya at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU campus here.
SWKH held the lead in the standings at the end of the second day yesterday after the Indian Round and they were able to retain first place following the compound and recurve events as well.
After picking up another 12 medals today, SWKH finished with 8 gold, 10 silver and 7 bronze medals.
East Khasi Hills, meanwhile, saw a surge in performance today, which lifted the host district from fifth to second position overall. EKH ended with 7 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze.
West Khasi Hills took third place with 6 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze, while Ri-Bhoi (4G, 2S, 4G) were fourth. East Jaintia Hills (3G, 3S, 3B) claimed fifth place by edging East Garo Hills (3G, 2S, 3B) by a single silver medal.
The chief guest on the final day was the Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs Wailadmiki Shylla.
The minister spent nearly three hours watching the action and came away impressed with the level of precision and skill demonstrated by the young archers.
In a speech at the closing ceremony, Shylla said that it was good to see that no one district dominated but that the championship was closely contested. “Thanks to the Archery Association of Meghalaya for that as it has worked to uplift the sport throughout Meghalaya,” he added while congratulating the association on a successful tournament. Shylla also praised AAM for being “one of the most active associations in team preparation” for the 39th National Games 2027, which Meghalaya will host.
As Sports Minister he gave credit to the Chief Minister for prioritising the development of sports in Meghalaya. In the last seven years the Sports & Youth Affairs budget has jumped from Rs 70 crore to Rs 844 crore, Shylla said. “Through this we have the ability to offer greater support to the sports associations and our athletes,” he stated, while also reminding the archers present that the state government has approved the direct job appointment policy for successful athletes to further encourage them in their chosen discipline.
This extra support is already bearing fruit, the minister added. Referring to the 1st Khelo India Tribal Games held earlier this year, he said that Meghalaya finished an impressive 13th and the state is aiming for the Top 5 next year. Meghalaya’s archers won two gold and one bronze medal at that event – archery was the only sport in which the state won gold.
Other dignitaries present on the last day were Meghalaya State Olympic Association General Secretary Finely L Pariat, MSOA Joint Secretary P Laloo and senior members of AAM.
(Archery Association of Meghalaya photo)
