By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 10: With an eye on strengthening Meghalaya’s sporting ecosystem ahead of the 2027 National Games, stakeholders of the Meghalaya Sepak Takraw Association on Saturday unanimously decided to constitute an ad hoc committee to spearhead the promotion and formal organisation of Sepak Takraw in the state.
The decision was taken at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday at Highway Inn Hotel, Laithmukrah, following detailed deliberations on the need to institutionalise the sport in Meghalaya. Participants noted that while Sepak Takraw enjoys wide international recognition, particularly across Southeast Asia, and has a strong presence in several Indian states such as Manipur, Meghalaya is yet to have a fully functional and recognised association despite its rich sporting talent.
Members underlined that the absence of an organised structure has limited the state’s participation in national-level competitions. With Meghalaya set to host the 2027 National Games, the meeting agreed that immediate steps were required to develop the sport at both grassroots and competitive levels to ensure meaningful participation by local athletes.
The ad hoc committee has been constituted with Homnath Gautam as president,
Aristonson Thabah as vice president and Arnold M Lanong as general secretary. Other office-bearers include Vego la Nongpluh as joint secretary, Chandra S Gautam as organising secretary, Zachariah T Lanong as publicity secretary and Krishna Muskara as treasurer. Ten executive members will be notified separately.
The committee has been mandated to promote and popularise Sepak Takraw across the state, organise coaching camps and tournaments, liaise with national and international bodies, prepare athletes for state and national competitions, and initiate the process for the formation and election of a regular body as per prescribed rules.
The resolution was passed with the consensus of all members present and will remain in force until a duly elected body assumes charge.
