Second High-Level Task Force Meeting on Sports Development in North Eastern Region Held Today: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Calls for a Bottom-Up Approach and Long-Term Coaching Engagement to Transform NER into India’s Sporting Hub
Second High-Level Task Force Meeting on Sports Development in North Eastern Region Held Today: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Calls for a Bottom-Up Approach and Long-Term Coaching Engagement to Transform NER into India’s Sporting Hub
The Second High-Level Task Force (HLTF) Meeting on Sports Development in the North Eastern Region (NER) was held today chaired by the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, Sports Minister of Mizoram, Lalnghinglova Hmar and senior officials and representatives from all Northeastern States.
The meeting served as a follow-up to the first HLTF meeting held on April 17, 2025, and was convened to review the progress made since the initial discussions and to chart a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening sports promotion, infrastructure, and talent development in the region.
In his address, Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the immense potential of the North Eastern Region to emerge as India’s sporting hub, given its rich cultural heritage, natural athleticism, and deep-rooted passion for sports. He emphasized the need to adopt macro coaching patterns, ensure the long-term and committed engagement of coaches, implement sport-based talent scouting, and adopt a bottom-up approach to build a strong foundation for sporting excellence.
The Minister further stressed on the importance of developing modern sports facilities, nurturing local talent, identifying high-potential disciplines, and promoting grassroots participation across all Northeastern States to ensure holistic growth and inclusivity in the sporting ecosystem.
The discussions focused on conducting a comprehensive review of existing sports infrastructure, identifying key gaps in facilities, talent development, and accessibility, and evolving a strategic framework to enhance sports infrastructure and participation. The Task Force also deliberated on mapping talent-rich and underserved areas, attracting investments through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and CSR initiatives, and developing an actionable roadmap with measurable milestones for phased implementation.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment, Scindia said that the North Eastern Region has all the elements needed to become the powerhouse of Indian sports and that with the right mix of modern infrastructure, policy support, and institutional coordination, the region can nurture champions who will bring global recognition to the region and to India.
He added that by blending modern infrastructure with the region’s natural sporting culture and traditional disciplines, the North Eastern Region can not only produce athletes of international acclaim but also foster inclusive growth, youth engagement, and regional pride.
The Second HLTF Meeting marks another significant step in advancing the vision of transforming the North Eastern Region into a vibrant centre of sporting excellence, aligning with the broader goal of Government led by PM Modi to empower the region through sports-led development.