SHILLONG: The Meghalaya National Games Outreach Summit was held on Tuesday at State Convention Centre, Shillong which was inaugurated by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma. The inauguration was also attended by Minister, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, Banteidor Lyngdoh.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said that the details of the Athletes’ Village for the 2022 National Games will be finalised next month.
The state is racing against time as the 36-month countdown to the National Games is already on. “We will be finalising the Games Village and the designs in December. Depending on the designs, we will know the expense required,” the Chief Minister told PTI, at the sidelines of a National Games summit held at the state convention here. He said as of now the state is optimistic that infrastructure for the Games will be completed ahead of scheduled time. The Chief Minister also informed that the state is looking at Central funds to the tune of Rs 640 crore from different ministries for construction of infrastructure. “Right now we are looking at Rs 200 crore from the social justice ministry, Rs 70 crore for the P A Sangma stadium, Rs 150-200 crore for the JN Stadium,” he said. He said that the state was also entitled some funds under Article 275.
“We get about Rs 50 crore every year from the Tribal Affairs Ministry and another Rs 50 crore from the Tribal sub plan scheme every year. Another Rs 70 crore from the NEC and another Rs 70 crore from the DoNER ministry is also there,” he informed. The Chief minister was optimistic that some funds from the Minority Affairs Ministry will also be released and this amount will be utilized for sports infrastructure. Earlier, addressing at the National Games Outreach summit, the Chief Minister said the National Games in Meghalaya will be successful and expressed confidence that it will boost the confidence of the sportspersons in the state. “10 years after the Games were held in Manipur and another 10 years after the Games were held in Assam, athletes in these states excelled in the international arena. I hope the National Games here will help our sportsmen and women achieve the limelight,” he said.
Speaking on various CSR projects, funding and investments for better impacts in Meghalaya sports the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that Meghalaya and North East in general has always been a region that produced excellent sportspersons.“It is a natural talent in our people and without much support or infrastructures people have excelled in different Sports which reflect the passion and talents of the people,” he said. He said that it is the endeavour and goal of the government to nurture these talents and added that, this summit is one of the ways towards achieving this goal by bringing all stakeholders together.”The Chief Minister also added that schools and colleges in the state have good sports infrastructures and sports associations have contributed towards bringing out the talents in the people.
He further informed that with the Meghalaya Sports Policy it has become mandatory for schools to have Physical Training teachers in schools. Highlighting the various aspects of the Meghalaya Sports Policy he said that it is very important to recognize the roles of sports associations and contributions of sportspersons who bring laurels to the State.
Talking about the National Games 2022 the Chief Minister said that it will be a massive transformative event for the State which will have a big impact not only in the sports scenario but also the economy of the State. He informed that work for all stadiums will start soon with upgradation of PA Sangma Stadium in Tura and other sports facilities in the State.
“ The National Games will not only develop the sports culture in the State but will open up opportunities for trade, entrepreneurship, tourism besides developing urban infrastructures and connectivity,” he said.
In his address, Sports Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh said that the government is working hard to ensure that the infrastructures to host the National Games are built in time. He also said that the government is ensuring that the infrastructures built is used and maintained in a sustainable way even after the National Games. He also shared and applauded the recent achievements of various athletes of Meghalaya in various national and international sports.The National Games Outreach Summit: Vision 2022 and beyond will focus on the sporting scenario in Meghalaya with comparative studies and analysis with a special focus on the sporting scenario on the upcoming National Games 2022. (With inputs from agencies)
