Meghalaya shines at 1st North East Para Sports Meet in Guwahati

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 2, 2024

Meghalaya’s four-member Paralympic contingent has returned from the 1st North East Para Sports Meet in Guwahati with a remarkable achievement of two gold and two silver medals, proving that talent transcends limitations.

The team, comprising athletes who demonstrated exceptional versatility are Darity Khongthaw (Badminton & Shotput), Prisca Pyngrope (Shotput & Swimming), Rinalin Nongdhar (Badminton, Table Tennis & Shotput), Angelina Thyrniang (Badminton & Table Tennis).

Rinalin Nongdhar clinched gold in Table Tennis and silver in Shotput, Angelina Thyrniang claimed silver in Table Tennis, Prisca Pyngrope secured gold in Shotput.

While celebrating these achievements, the president of The Social Humanoid emphasized the athletes’ remarkable performance, particularly given the constraints of limited resources and minimal preparation time.

However, behind the celebration lies a critical message: Meghalaya must urgently re-evaluate its approach to Paralympic sports. These athletes have demonstrated extraordinary potential with minimal support, raising pertinent questions about what could be achieved with structured training, dedicated infrastructure, and consistent financial backing.

The athletes’ success serves as a poignant reminder that Paralympic sports require the same level of institutional support, recognition, and investment as mainstream athletics. Small-scale initiatives such as targeted scholarships, specialized training programs, equipment support as well as accessible space for training could significantly amplify the state’s Paralympic potential.

Meghalaya stands at a crucial juncture. The current achievements are not just medals, but a clarion call for comprehensive sports policy that embraces inclusivity and recognizes the immense talent within the Paralympic community. It is the view of the author that such feats should be felicitated acting as motivation for others to continue their perseverance in the field of sports. The Social Humanoid is working tirelessly for the empowerment and recognition of persons with disability in Meghalaya and could definitely benefit from a sustained support mechanism for aspiring athletes.

These four athletes have not just won medals; they have opened a window of opportunity for Meghalaya to reimagine its approach to Paralympic sports – a window that should not be allowed to close.