Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated a new synthetic football turf at Mandalgitok Playground in Siju, South Garo Hills, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This new sports facility is part of a large state project to build 58 artificial turf football grounds across the state. The government is spending more than Rs 300 crore to build one turf in every constituency.
The state government has invested over Rs 2,000 crore in sports infrastructure over the last eight years. This investment includes building stadiums, swimming pools, and indoor sports facilities in all 60 constituencies. Meghalaya is also preparing to host the National Games in March 2027, which will bring 15,000 athletes to the state.
The new football turf aims to help local players build their skills and play at national and international levels like the Asian Games and the Olympics. The government plans to host grassroots tournaments for age groups from Under-10 to Under-20 across 56 blocks to find new talent. Local leaders and officials attended the opening event, which included a football match between two regional teams.
