Sponsored by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and with the host state providing accommodation to the participants, the Festival has been able to generate a sporting environment among the youth of this region as it is attracting a good number of sportspersons from all the eight states. As far as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is concerned, it was a right decision on their part to introduce this event as nowadays it has become an immense attraction for the youngsters, particularly for the aspiring athletes.

The 24th North East Games were flagged off by the Additional Chief Secretary of Meghalaya Mr. Barkos P. Warjri at a colourful march past at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Mr. Warjri, speaking on the occasion expressed his pleasure in seeing that Meghalaya was able to host these games after a gap of sixteen years. Mr. Warjri also said, “Good infrastructure in the field of sports helps an individual identify their talents, which in turn helps the youngsters to become professionals in the sporting events.” The opening ceremony of these games also featured different drills and dance routines performed by school students besides a cultural programme.

It might be noted that Shillong had previously hosted the games way back in 1993-94 in which 761 athletes competed against each other in 9 disciplines, namely athletics, archery, boxing, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, weight lifting, judo and table-tennis. This year’s event was somewhat changed with regard to the disciplines. Those that featured in the 24th edition of the games were athletics, archery, basketball, badminton, boxing, football, table tennis, judo, wushu and karate. Also, the total number of participants was doubled in this edition of the games as athletes this time numbered around a whooping 1558 in all. All the 8 states of the North East (including Sikkim) were represented in this edition of the games through contingents which showcase the pride of the individual states.

In this 24th edition of the games, former junior world SHUTO Champion Linza Fenny Syiem took the oath on behalf of the participants during the opening ceremony which kicked off six days of head to head competition between the athletes of the different states. A grueling test of will power and physical ability then ensued in the ten different disciplines as athletes vied to one up their competitors and lay claim to their moment of glory.

When all was said and done, Manipur emerged as the overall winners of the 24th edition of the North East Games with an overall tally of 97 medals which included 39 gold, 22 silver and 36 bronze. Assam came a close second with a final count of 91 medals which included 29 gold, 37 silver and 25 bronze. The host state Meghalaya had to settle for a distant third place after bagging a total of 63 medals which included 23 gold, 14 silver and 26 bronze. Tripura finished fourth with a tally of 47 medals which included 18 gold, 7 silver and 22 bronze. Following the Tripura contingent was Mizoram with a total of 58 medals comprising of 8 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze. Sikkim were left wanting after bagging 47 medals which was made up of 8 gold, 15 silver and 24 bronze. Nagaland could only manage the lowest tally of 33 medals comprising of 5 gold, 9 silver and 19 bronze but their overall score enabled them to finish ahead of Arunachal Pradesh which in spite of finishing with 36 medals comprised of 5 gold, 7 silver and 24 bronze, came in last.

Amidst all the hype that the games generated, there was however an undercurrent of dissatisfaction as complaints were rife on the overall conduct of the games. As compared to earlier editions of these games, the 24th North East Games could have been better organised opined many of the participants. Of course, we have to keep infrastructure in mind when we bring up these shortcomings and maybe this is where the crux of the problem lies. The concerned authorities need to look into the upgrade of facilities and that too, not on the eve of such events but throughout. Also, once in place, such facilities need to be well maintained and upgraded from time to time. The North East is infamous for its lethargy and complacency and maybe this is where we need to step up and prove these pre – conceived notions wrong.

D. Nampui