By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State is all set to host the South Asian Federation (SAF) Junior Table Tennis Championship in which seven countries including Pakistan,Nepal, Bangladesh, Srilanka and hosts India will participate.
Around 86 participants will contest in the event which will be held from June 17-19 at the Indoor stadium, of the J N Sports Complex, Polo here.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma said that the Championship is an opportunity to highlight the state’s potentiality in terms of sports.
Meghalaya Government will be the principle sponsor of the event which has an estimated budget of Rs 50 lakh. According to Dr. Sangma, the event will also boost Meghalaya’s image in terms of ‘promoting the State as an ideal locale for sports in the region.’
Meanwhile, chairman of the Meghalaya Table Tennis Association RG Lyngdoh while speaking on the development of table tennis in the state said that the Chief Minister has assured the association that a 20 acre plot land will be given to Meghalaya Table Tennis Association (MTTA) in New Shillong for setting up a table tennis academy.
“Different associations which are getting government funds must conduct sports events at the block and district level before organizing an event at the state level,” he added.
The Government has also appointed two table tennis coaches for training of budding table tennis players and the State is contemplating on hiring coaches from outside.
It may be mentioned that Shillong has been chosen to host the South Asian meet while the junior and cadet tournament will be held in Siliguri from October 10 to 14. Earlier, the State had hosted National level Table Tennis tournaments in 2005 and 2007.