Meghalaya partners with Abhinav Bindra Foundation to bring olympic values to schools

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 19, 2025

The Government of Meghalaya on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation to implement the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) across schools in the state.

The MoU was signed by the Department of Education and the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs at the Cabinet Room, Main Secretariat, Shillong. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra were present at the ceremony.

Also present were Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs; Shri D.D. Shira, Director, Sports & Youth Affairs; Banteilang Kharsandi, Director, School Education & Literacy; officials of the Meghalaya Olympic Association, and other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, CM Sangma said, “Sports is not just an activity — it instills discipline, hard work, responsibility, and values that last a lifetime. The Olympic Values Education Programme complements our vision of investing in youth and ensuring they grow into responsible and productive citizens. With Abhinav Bindra leading this initiative, our students will be inspired to embrace excellence, friendship, and respect.”

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra highlighted the transformative power of values-based education. He said OVEP, developed by the International Olympic Committee, uses the universal appeal of sport and Olympic ideals to engage students in life skills, character building, and holistic education. Its implementation in Meghalaya will benefit thousands of students across schools in the state.

Following the MoU signing, Abhinav Futuristics Private Limited presented a proposal to establish a World-Class High Performance Sports Science and Injury Centre in Meghalaya. The Centre aims to provide advanced training, rehabilitation, and sports science facilities, enabling athletes from the state to compete at national and international levels.

The MoU marks a milestone in Meghalaya’s mission to combine values-based education with world-class sports infrastructure, paving the way for the state to emerge as a hub of educational excellence and sporting achievement.