By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: There is a serious concern over whether the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium would be ready in time to host the home matches of the Shillong Lajong FC in the next I-League season, as the artificial turf laying work is still far from being completed.
The next season of the prestigious tournament is scheduled to begin on October 15 and football lovers of the State are concerned over whether their favourite team would be able to play any of their home matches in the JNSC.
Lajong FC management has already announced two optional venues, one each in Assam and Manipur, in case the JNSC turf is not ready within the stipulated time.
The State Government, on the other hand, seems confident of completing all construction activities before the commencement of the I-League season in October.
An optimistic Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Bindo M Lanong on Saturday said, “The construction has started few days back and presently the base for the artificial turf is being laid. Besides, earth work is also being done.”
“If the weather remains fine then there is every possibility that the upgradation of the Stadium would be done within the stipulated time,” Lanong said, adding, “We are trying our level best to complete the work as quickly as possible.”
It may be reminded that a Hyderabad-based private firm has been assigned the work of constructing the artificial turf in the Stadium in Shillong. The State Government awarded the contract after confirming that the said firm had already done similar artificial turf laying projects in Kolkata and Sikkim.
The government also sanctioned Rs 5.13 crore for the artificial turf laying work with Meghalaya Cricket Association president and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Conrad Sangma chipping in with a personal contribution of Rs 25,000 from his salary to boost the construction work.
All said and done, the State Government is fast running out of time to complete the turf work within the stipulated two months set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to improve the ground conditions and other infrastructure at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The Asian football body has already warned of retaliatory action in case the upgradation work in the Stadium is not complete within the deadline.
Considering the laissez-faire approach of the State Government, it would be a huge setback for the football loving people of the State if the home matches of the local team Lajong FC is shifted to a neutral venue outside the State.