Launch of the Super Elite Program for athlete development

 Shillong, 4 th July, 2023: The Department has confirmed in principle to the launch the Super Elite Program

for athlete development, where 12 athletes with high potential will be trained with International coaches

and a dedicated development program with the aim of competing at national and international level.

The project under the STAR Program notified by the Government of Meghalaya is a part of the

honourable Chief Minister’s vision to develop Olympic athletes by 2032. With the development of new

infrastructure, and the various initiatives under the Department, the objective is to begin grooming high

potential athletes from now to achieve the final goal of Olympic medals.

These athletes have been selected through a yearlong process, which has been implemented by the

Meghalaya State Olympic Association under the supervision of Edge10, an Australian company led by

Mr. Ian Campbell, a reputed Olympian.

Using physical parameter testing, over 14,500 athletes across Meghalaya were tested in two phases with

the technology provided by Edge10. The phase 1 athletes (4,500 in number) were shortlisted to

participate in an Elite Pathway Program, which involves a year-round intervention process of app-based

training, and quarterly training camps conducted by Mr. Campbell. From this group, the 9 athletes (6

athletics, two weightlifting, and one karate athlete) have been shortlisted, while the rest will continue

under the Elite Pathway Program.

As the remaining 10,000 athletes from Phase 2 are shortlisted through the same mechanism, it is expected

that 3 more athletes will be a part of the Super Elite Program, forming a total of 12 athletes.

These athletes, both boys and girls from the Garo and Khasi regions of the State, will be under the direct

care of the MSOA and the Department, where their schooling, stay/food, and training will be taken care

of. Mr. Campbell will continue to oversee their performance over the 3 years of the program, facilitated

by sport specific expert coaches and an Analytics team. The athletes will be based in Shillong and will

further participate in events, gradually aspiring towards international events.