Shillong is set to host the 5th KIO North East Zone Karate Championship 2026 from October 22 to 24, with 899 athletes, coaches, referees and team officials expected to participate in the three-day event.
Organised by the Karate India Organisation (KIO) and hosted by the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA), the championship will receive support from the Meghalaya government’s Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. The competition will be held at the Convocation Hall of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong.
The championship will bring together karatekas from across the North East, offering young athletes a platform to demonstrate their skills and compete at the zonal level. The event also aims to promote karate in the region and encourage sporting excellence among emerging talent.
The competition is expected to provide participants with valuable competitive experience and an opportunity to assess their performance ahead of higher-level tournaments, including the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya is scheduled to host next year.
Karatekas from Meghalaya are also expected to participate, with AMKA seeking to build on the state’s achievements in regional, national and international competitions.
Hosting the championship in Shillong will give local athletes the opportunity to compete against opponents from across the North East on home ground, with support from their families, friends and local sports enthusiasts.
The event is expected to contribute to the development of karate in Meghalaya while strengthening sporting ties among the Northeastern states and providing a platform for identifying promising athletes.