By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State got its maiden artificial turf ground when Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma inaugurated the much awaited artificial turf field at Third Ground Polo here on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that good infrastructure is required to provide a better platform for the youth to explore their talents while adding that the Government is focused on providing good stadiums which can hold national and even international events in the State.
The CM also mentioned the role of clubs in building local talent pool when he said, “Involvement of clubs is important in order to produce talented players who can bring laurels to the the State.”
Mukul asserted that the State Government is contemplating construction of similar artificial turfs in Tura and Jowai too.
An estimated cost of Rs 6 crores was sanctioned by the FIFA for the project which was inaugurated on Tuesday. The turf is expected to last 8 to 10 years given it is guarded properly as it is susceptible to cigarettes and chewing gums.
The FIFA had selected Meghalaya as one of the several Indian states for laying artificial turfs among other projects under its ‘Win in India with India’ programme which also has Imphal, Bangalore and Mumbai as its beneficiaries.
Meanwhile as part of the inauguration of the ground, a friendly football match was played between the members of the Shillong Press Club (SPC) and the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) where MFA emerged winners when they beat SPC by a solitary goal.