Shillong, Sep 16: The North East InterState Badminton Championship 2026 began at the JN Indoor Stadium here today, with 270 shuttlers and officials from around the region gathering in the Meghalaya capital.
This is the return of the tournament to Meghalaya for the first time since 2016.
The four-day event was opened by Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, who in a typical speech, spoke about how the current government has increased the Sports Department’s budget from Rs 40 crore to Rs 844 crore in the time that it has been in power. Most of that increase is on infrastructure but he also mentioned the incentives for athletes, such as structured cash awards, scholarships and a “flexible” government jobs policy that allows them to continue to devote themselves to their chosen discipline. He also announced that a stipend will be paid to all Meghalaya athletes chosen to represent the state at next year’s 39th National Games.
“It is very important to have this kind of championship because we do understand that champions are created from this platform,” Shylla added. “I’m happy it’s back after 10 years and it has come at an important time as Meghalaya will host the 39th National Games next year. It is a golden opportunity for our players to prepare themselves for that event.”
Ace shuttler Ashmita Chaliha from Assam, the first Indian ever to win the Korea Masters Title, urged Meghalaya’s players to participate without the burden of expectations, advising, “Enjoy what you play, give your absolute best on the court without taking the pressure of winning or losing, and the results will naturally follow.”
Each state, including hosts Meghalaya, can send a maximum of 34 shuttlers to compete in the U-19 and senior individual as well as team championships.
(Meghalaya State Badminton Association photo. Meghalaya’s Raynell Kharbuki in action)
