Zenith jubilant over turnout
SHILLONG: Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma is jubilant over the number of people who turned up at Khyndailad to watch the semifinals of the World Cup.
Football lovers in Shillong can also enjoy the grand final between Germany and Argentina on a giant screen set up on the grounds of the old Assembly building in the centre of the city.
Kickoff will be at 12:30am India time.
Speaking to media persons on Friday, Sangma said that the government came up with the idea as people in Meghalaya are very fond of football, which is the most popular sport in the state.
“This is the time of the World Cup and it is coming after the gap of four years. We thought of making it big way,” he said.
The event has been organised at the initiative of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department.
The first semifinal saw Germany trounce Brazil 7-1 on a thoroughly wet night in Shillong, but the next day’s match between the Netherlands and Argentina was a completely different affair; the game was watched in dry weather and went to penalties.
Lachumiere gets own big screen
Meanwhile, the Seng Samla Lachumiere will also set up a big screen in the locality for the community to enjoy the World Cup final together, it was announced on Saturday.