By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Sports and Youth Affairs, Bindo M Lanong, feels encouraged to see young boys and girls from rural areas dominate sporting events in the state.
“I would not hesitate to say that the pool of sporting talents we now have in the rural areas is far better than the talent we have in the urban areas,” Lanong said while speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Indoor Stadium cum Community Hall at Qualapatty on Saturday.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that he had seen how the youngsters from West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Jaintia Hills dominated the Meghalaya Athletes Meet, which was held in Tura earlier this year.
Taking cognizance of the potential of the young athletes in the rural areas, Lanong said that the government is trying its level best to develop sporting infrastructure in rural areas to tap these young talents.
“The Government has already sanctioned two artificial football turfs in Jaintia and Garo Hills,” the Deputy Chief Minister said while adding that the government is looking forward to developing similar infrastructure in places like War Jaintia, where there are many young football talents.
Additionally, he said that construction work for the floodlights at the JN Stadium has already started and the synthetic athletic track will soon be laid.
Meanwhile, Jaiaw local MLA Paul Lyngdoh said that the state can produce great sporting talents only if it can create the infrastructure to allow the youth to develop.
According to Lyngdoh, the people of Meghalaya need to change their outlook towards sport.
He said that the problem among the people in the state is that they do not take sports seriously.
“At present, many of us consider sport only as a game,” the Jaiaw MLA said.
According to Lyngdoh, the people need to look to the example of Manipur.
“Despite various difficulties including militancy and poverty, Manipur is still able to produce athletes like Mary Kom, who excels in the international arena,” he said.
Qualapatty Rangbah Shnong Martamlin Pyrbot informed that the estimated cost of the stadium is Rs 1.49 crore and it should be completed by 2014.