{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Ahead of 2027 National Games, Meghalaya Pumps Over ₹840 Crore into Sports and Increases Athlete Incentives",
  "summary": "Meghalaya has expanded its sports budget from ₹40 crore in 2018 to more than ₹840 crore at present. The state has raised cash awards for National Games medal winners and rolled out direct government job appointments.",
  "content": "Meghalaya has significantly expanded its financial allocation for the sports sector as part of broader efforts to build a robust athletic ecosystem ahead of hosting the 39th National Games in 2027. The state's sports budget has grown from around Rs 40 crore in 2018 to over Rs 840 crore at present. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla highlighted this sharp rise in investment during the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations held in Shillong on Saturday under the theme \"Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat,\" an event organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.\n\nSubstantial Cash Incentive Hikes for Medal Winners\nTo motivate local athletes, the Meghalaya government has revised cash rewards for sports achievements at the National Games. Under the revised framework, gold medallists will now receive Rs 2 lakh, marking a massive surge from the previous reward of Rs 7,500. Silver medallists are now slated to receive Rs 1.5 lakh, while bronze medal winners will be awarded Rs 1 lakh. Minister Shylla emphasized during the felicitation ceremony that these enhanced incentives mark only the beginning of a sustained push toward comprehensive sports development across the state.\n\nWhile honoring the achievers, Minister Wailadmiki Shylla noted, \"By giving you this award today, we are not saying that this is enough. We are saying that this is just the beginning.\"\n\nDirect Government Recruitment Policy Under MOSDAP\nBeyond cash prizes, the state has established a clear career pathway for elite athletes representing Meghalaya. Under the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsperson Direct Appointment Policy (MOSDAP), athletes who win medals at prestigious events including the National Games, South Asian Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics qualify for direct appointment to government jobs. Pynshngain Kurbah, who earned a bronze medal at the 38th National Games, became the inaugural recipient of a government job appointment under this policy.\n\nGrassroots Talent Identification and Infrastructure Expansion\nThe state administration is actively working to enlarge its talent development pipeline across districts. Through the State Talent Assessment and Recruitment (STAR) programme, officials aim to evaluate roughly 24,500 young people to identify promising sporting talent. Additionally, 125 grassroots football centres are being established. Members of Meghalaya's contingent preparing for the 39th National Games will receive training stipends, while athletes are being provided health insurance coverage through the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS). To support high-level training, a specialized high-performance sports science centre is being built at the JN Sports Complex and is scheduled for inauguration in September 2026.\n\nNational Sports Day Felicitations and Character Building\nThe National Sports Day event also saw Mawlai Sports Club felicitated for winning the fourth Meghalaya State League and securing a qualification spot in the I-League 3 2025-26 playoffs. Numerous other medal-winning athletes were formally recognized for their performances. Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed highlighted the positive social impact of sports, noting that participation fosters resilience, teamwork, and strong personal character while steering young citizens away from negative influences. Sports and Youth Affairs Director Alertson Nongbri reaffirmed that all ongoing initiatives are aligned with building a world-class, high-performance sports ecosystem as the state prepares to host the 39th National Games in 2027.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis decision directly impacts young athletes and families in Meghalaya seeking sustainable careers in sports.\n\n• Across India: Meghalaya's enhanced sports budget serves as a benchmark for other state governments to raise cash prizes and job security incentives for local sportspersons.\n• In Meghalaya: Approximately 24,500 youth will be screened under the STAR initiative, giving budding athletes direct access to professional guidance across 125 grassroots football centres.\n• For National Games Medallists: Cash rewards jump from ₹7,500 to ₹2 lakh for gold, ₹1.5 lakh for silver, and ₹1 lakh for bronze, offering meaningful financial support to top competitors.\n• For Job Seekers in Sports: Under the MOSDAP policy, winning medals at National or international events secures direct recruitment into government jobs.\n• For Health and Training Support: Contingent athletes preparing for the 2027 National Games will receive training stipends and medical coverage under the MHIS scheme.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What is the new sports budget allocation for Meghalaya?\nMeghalaya's sports budget has grown from around ₹40 crore in 2018 to more than ₹840 crore at present.\n\n2. How much cash reward will a National Games gold medallist receive now?\nGold medal winners will now receive ₹2 lakh, an increase from the earlier reward of ₹7,500.\n\n3. What are the cash prizes for silver and bronze medallists?\nSilver medallists will receive ₹1.5 lakh, while bronze medallists will be awarded ₹1 lakh.\n\n4. What is MOSDAP and who was its first beneficiary?\nMOSDAP is the direct recruitment policy for outstanding sportspersons in government jobs. 38th National Games bronze medallist Pynshngain Kurbah was the first recipient.\n\n5. How many young people will be assessed under the STAR programme?\nThe State Talent Assessment and Recruitment (STAR) programme expects to assess around 24,500 youth.\n\n6. When is the sports science centre scheduled to be inaugurated?\nThe high-performance sports science centre at JN Sports Complex is slated for inauguration in September 2026.\n\n7. When will Meghalaya host the 39th National Games?\nMeghalaya is scheduled to host the 39th National Games in 2027.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/meghalaya/2027-ke-rashtriya-khelon-se-pahale-meghalaya-ne-khela-bajata-barhakara-840-karora-rupaye-se-adhika-kiya-khilariyon-ke-lie-puraskar-24526",
  "category": "Meghalaya",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-30",
  "tags": [
    "Meghalaya",
    "Sports Budget",
    "National Games 2027",
    "Wailadmiki Shylla",
    "Shillong news",
    "MOSDAP",
    "Athlete Incentives"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}