Shillong, July 23: Karate is surging in Meghalaya with a record 802 karatekas from 126 schools registering for the 32nd State Level Inter School Karate Tournament 2026, which kicked off today at the SAI Multipurpose Indoor Hall, NEHU campus.
Organised by the All-Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA) with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, the 3-day event has seen a big jump from last year’s 748 participants from 104 schools.
St Anthony’s HSS and Auxilium Girls’ HSS enter as defending champions in the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
MSOA Working President John F Kharshiing was chief guest and declared the meet open. MSOA General Secretary Finely L Pariat was guest of honour.
Kharshiing praised AMKA for running “one of the few inter-school programmes in the state”, while Pariat called it “one of the best sports associations in Meghalaya.”
With the 39th National Games less than a year away and set to be hosted by Meghalaya, AMKA said several senior students here are in contention for state selection if karate is included.
The opening day also honoured Daniel Dabiangbha Warjri and Gideon Tympuin for winning gold and bronze respectively at the recent South Asian Karate Championship in Dhaka. Pariat announced a cash award from MSOA for the duo. Daniel also led the oath-taking ceremony.
