RI BHOI, FEB 10: The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) on Tuesday began the East Zone Inter-University Handball Men and Women Tournament 2025–26 at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in Ri Bhoi district.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, who inaugurated the tournament in the presence of Mathew Kenneth Makdoh, Nominated MDC from Nongpoh, Bobby L. Nongbet, and USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, along with university officials, team managers, and student participants from across the region.
The tournament is being organised by the Association of Indian Universities and hosted by USTM, with participation from around 50 universities and 75 teams, including both men’s and women’s categories.
The competition will be held over four days, beginning on Tuesday and concluding on February 14, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Shylla said Meghalaya has a strong pool of sporting talent and reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting sports. He highlighted the government’s policy of providing direct government employment to medal-winning athletes at national and international levels, without requiring them to appear for recruitment examinations.
The minister also invited visiting teams to explore Meghalaya’s natural attractions and noted that the state is preparing to host the National Games in 2027, expressing hope to welcome many of the athletes again during the national event.
