Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Athletes from all 12 districts of Meghalaya returned to the track on September 14. The Meghalaya State Senior Athletics Championship kicked off after an 18-year hiatus. A total of 267 competitors are facing off in 37 track and field events at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU Shillong campus.
Ri-Bhoi grabbed an early lead. They secured six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal on day one. Eastern West Khasi Hills follows with two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. West Jaintia Hills sits in third place with one gold and three silver medals. The event is run by the Meghalaya Athletics Association with help from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Competition involves 166 men and 101 women. They work under the watchful eyes of 120 technical officials, including experts from the Athletics Federation of India. West Jaintia Hills sprinter Renaldi Dhar swore the athletes' oath. Sunshine gave way to heavy rain during the final session, forcing athletes in the 100m and 1500m finals to adapt to the soaked track.
In the women's 1500m race, Monlangki Kyndait finished in 5 minutes 25.86 seconds. Marshal Wanniang took the men's title with a time of 4 minutes 8.29 seconds. Ri-Bhoi swept the 100m finals, as Phibakmen Rynghang clocked 13.07 seconds and Banraplang Lapang finished in 11.02 seconds.
The event scouts talent for the upcoming 39th National Games. Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs head Alertson Nongbri addressed the crowd. He touted state scholarships and job incentives for top performers. "The best of you will be representing our state at the National Games," Nongbri said. Officials hope these efforts will help the state produce an Olympian by 2032.
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