By News On Air Sep 17, 2026
The North East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2026 has returned 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 the state.
Underway at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Sports Complex, Shillong, the championship will continue till 19th September 2026. More than 250 top-tier shuttlers representing all eight Northeastern states – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim have come together for the championship.
Wailadmiki Shylla, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya said that the return of this important championship to Shillong after ten long years arrives at a highly opportune moment, as Meghalaya prepares to host the 39th National Games next year. He added that the State witnessed a surge in the Sports budget from a mere ₹40 crore eight to nine years ago to a staggering ₹844 crore.
The objective of the funding is to provide better infrastructure, platforms, and opportunities for the youth, alongside a hike in prize money that now awards ₹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.
The 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.
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. Offering a message to Meghalaya’s athletes, she urged them to play without the burden of expectations.
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.