By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The State Sports and Youth Affairs department said it would do all it can to complete the laying of the artificial turf at Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex (JNSC) before Shillong Lajong’s home match against Chirag United on December 29.

“We had earlier set the target to complete the work within the middle of December. But it was delayed after the engineers suggested some modifications. We do not want to compromise with the quality of the turf, hence the delay,” a senior government official said on Sunday.

“In any case the turf would be definitely ready for play by the first week of January,” he added.

He said that the Government has made a huge investment therefore the work has to be of top quality while adding that the artificial turf and other materials have already arrived.

The home matches of Lajong had to be played in Imphal due to the delay in the laying of the turf. However, after the team raised concerns over the ground condition at Imphal, the matches have been shifted to Guwahati where Lajong would play against Mumbai FC on December 11.

It may be recalled that the State Government had earlier sanctioned a total amount of Rs 5.13 crore for laying of the artificial turf at the JNSC.

Talking about the installation of flood lights at JNSC the official said that the work would be completed by the middle of next year. “The NEC have already assured the release of funds for the proposed flood lights. As soon as the funds are made available the work for installation would begin,” he said.

The official pointed out that the benefit of installing flood nights woulfd reap double benefit.

“Apart from holding matches in the evening it would also prevent government employees from leaving the office before the scheduled time for watching football matches,” he said.