By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Megh Meet 2013, to culminate the State governement’s Year of the Youth celebration, got underway with a grand opening ceremony at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Monday.
The week-long event, which will conclude on May 11, will witness the participation of more than 1,800 athletes participating in various outdoor and indoor disciplines, according to the organisers.
This is also the first time that athletes from all the 11 districts of the State are coming together to participate in any sporting event in Meghalaya.
The opening ceremony started with a march past of the athletes.
However, the main attraction of the opening were the drills performed by the students of St Mary’s Higher Secondary School.
While delivering his brief address before officially opening the event, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Zenith M Sangma, said that the State would like to develop a sports academy to nurture the young budding sports talent.
“Through this academy we can also spot the young talent who have the potential to excel in sports and compete at the top level,” Sangma said.
He said that the academy can also help to identify those youth who can pursue a career in sports.
“Sports is transforming into a major industry for sportspersons to earn a living,” the minister said.
“It would really be great if we are able to bring such a set up in the State.”
Sangma also said that the events like the Megh Meet 2013 need to be conducted on a regular basis.
“It is through this kind of event that the young minds are able to express and showcase their talents,” the minister added.
A total of eight disci-plines will be contested at the Megh Meet at the JN Sports Complex and at the Tirot Sing Indoor Hall. The eight sports are football, basketball, volleyball (men only), kho kho, handball, carrom, boxing and badmin-ton (the only event at the Tirot Sing Indoor Hall).
Tuesday’s fixtures: men’s football – South West Garo Hills vs East Khasi Hills at 8:00am; women’s football – West Garo Hills vs East Jaintia Hills at 10:00am; men’s handball – South West Khasi Hills vs South Garo Hills at 8:00am, East Jaintia Hills vs East Garo Hills at 9:30am; women’s handball – East Jaintia Hills vs Ri-Bhoi at 8:00am, West Garo Hills vs South West Khasi Hills at 9:30am; men’s kho kho – West Garo Hills vs East Garo Hills at 8:30am; women’s kho kho – Ri-Bhoi vs East Jaintia Hills at 10:00am.