GUWAHATI: Football-crazy Manipur and Meghalaya have declared Monday (July 20, 2026) a holiday for all educational institutions in the two states.
The objective is to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina past Sunday midnight without having to attend classes a few hours later on Monday.
Ningthoujam Geoffrey, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Government of Manipur (School Education, Higher & Technical Education, Adult Education and SCERT), said in an order that the decision was taken to enable students in the state to enjoy the FIFA World Cup final.
"The Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare the closure of all schools affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education, the Council of Higher Secondary Education, the Central Board of Secondary Education or otherwise; colleges and higher education institutions, including universities; falling under government, aided or unaided sectors, on Monday," the order read.
Manipur has produced many of India's star footballers, including Renedy Singh, Jeakson Singh, Dheeraj Singh, Amarjit Singh, Ngangom Bala Devi, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Grace Dangmei and Sweety Devi.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, an avid football fan, took to Facebook on Sunday to announce the government's decision.
"I have some good news for our football lovers. I would like to inform all of you that I have decided that Monday will be a holiday for all educational institutions, including schools and colleges," the Chief Minister said in a video.
"We know that football is a passion and way of life in our state. In order to allow our youngsters to truly enjoy it, we have come to this decision. Enjoy the final and wish you all the very best," he added.
The Meghalaya government had earlier established the Chief Minister's Football Fan Parks in Shillong, Jowai and Tura for live screenings of FIFA World Cup matches. The initiative received an overwhelming response from the public.