In a historic development for sports in the Northeast, the Indian Army successfully conducted the 13th Inter Command Sport Climbing Championship 2025–26 at the Eastern Command Sport Climbing Node, 58 GTC, Shillong, from March 16 to 19.
The event, held under the aegis of the Eastern Command and the Army Adventure Wing of the Ministry of Defence, marks the first-ever sport climbing competition organized by the Indian Army in the North Eastern Region. This milestone is expected to open doors for hosting larger national and international competitions in the future.
The championship concluded on March 19 with a grand closing ceremony attended by Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, SM, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 101 Area, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by Brig Joe Sabby, Commandant of 58 GTC.
Prominent dignitaries present at the event included Finely L. Pariat, General Secretary of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, and Smti Malviancy Shabong, President of the Meghalaya Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Association.
A total of six out of eight Army Commands participated in the championship. Each team consisted of nine climbers, along with one coach and one manager, showcasing a high level of competition and sportsmanship.
🏆 Championship Results:
Eastern Command emerged as the overall Team Champion, securing an impressive tally of three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. Northern Command finished as the runner-up with one silver and one bronze medal, while Central Command claimed the second runner-up position with one silver medal.
The success of this championship holds greater significance as the Indian Olympic Association has approved Meghalaya to host the prestigious 39th National Games in 2027. This provides a major opportunity for the state to highlight sport climbing as a key discipline and strengthen its position as a sporting hub in India.
With existing infrastructure in place and a growing pool of talented athletes, Meghalaya is well-positioned to excel in sport climbing at the national level. Officials believe that events like this will play a crucial role in boosting the development, visibility, and recognition of the sport across the region.
The championship not only showcased elite climbing talent but also reinforced Shillong’s emergence as a key destination for adventure sports in India.
