Editor,
I was dismayed to hear of the reshuffling of IAS and MCS officers recently and to know that Matsiewdor Nongbri has been transferred from her post as the Director of Sports & Youth Affairs to Managing Director, MECOFED. As a lay person I was happy when two years ago the Government posted a professional from the field of sports and a qualified MCS cadre officer as the Director of Sports and Youth Affairs. But this is short-lived; despite the positive changes brought in by this officer in her short tenure she is now posted out even before she could leave her footprints in the Department. Ms Nongbri is a sportsperson of repute having been the National level Archer who participated in the Asian Games, Korea in 1986. She has a Masters degree in Physical education besides other honours in the sporting arena. She seems the most apt person for the department she heads. It is unfortunate that the state chief secretary has failed to see these merits and has arbitrarily transferred Ms Nongbri to another Department.
The younger generation may question whether it is worthwhile making sports their career. Something like this can only happen in Meghalaya. We all complain of brain drain from the State but here is a case of someone with intelligence and sporting acumen staying on to serve the State. How many sportspersons can also be administrators and handle both with finesse?
The least we can do, as responsible citizens is to poke our honorable Chief Minister and request him to revisit the matter.
Yours etc.,
Bankiew Warjri,
Via email