By Our Reporter
TURA: Deputy Chief Minister in charge Sports and Youth Affairs, Bindo M Lanong, on Wednesday inaugurated the 25th Meghalaya Athletic Meet for under 12, under 16 and senior boys and girls as part of the ‘Year of the Youth’ celebrations organized by the Meghalaya Athletics Association in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs at Tura MP Stadium, Dakopgre.
Lanong was accompanied by C & RD Minister Saleng A Sangma who attended the event as the Guest of Honour. The Athletic Meet will be a three-day event concluding on Friday and will feature various track and field events.
Commending the Meghalaya Athletic Association for its endeavour to uplift the sporting scenario of the region by organizing such events, Lanong urged its members to hold the meet annually to enable active participation by the youth of the State.
He stated that in the near future the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs will collaborate with the Meghalaya Athletics Association to boost the athletic scenario of the State by enabling aspiring athletes to compete in regular athletic events.
Unfurling the 25th Athletic Meet flag Lanong urged the athletes to show good sportsmanship and wished them all the best.
Famed marathon runner of the State, Binning Lyngkoi, was felicitated by Lanong for his feats in national and international events making the State and the country proud.
The meet is being participated by twelve contingents comprising of Mawkyrwat Sub Divisional Sports Association, Ampati Sub Divisional Sports Association, Resubelpara Sub Divisional Sports Association, Sohra Sub Divisional Sports Association, Baghmara District Sports Association, Ri Bhoi District Sports Association, Nongstoin District Sports Association, Williamnagar District Sports Association, Jaintia Hills District Sports Association, Shillong Sports Association, Western Ri Bhoi Sports Association and Tura District Sports Association.
Others who spoke on the occasion were C&RD Minister Saleng Sangma and West Garo Hills DC Pravin Bakshi.