SAF Games: State officials to attend EC meet tomorrow
SHILLONG: After almost a week of drama, allegations and threat to withdraw from co-hosting the 12th South Asian Games, Meghalaya seems to finally have its own way in the tussle over the shifting of badminton from Shillong to Guwahati.
Working president of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA), John F Kharshiing on Saturday said that the State will retain the badminton discipline as was scheduled at the outset.
“We have just received the information from Meghalaya government that badminton will be held in Shillong as scheduled earlier. Meghalaya officials will attend the EC meeting in Guwahati on Monday,” Kharshiing said.
However, Sports Secretary F Kharkongor said that the government is yet to receive an official confirmation in this regard even though there is a “very strong chance” that Meghalaya will get to host the event.
It may be mentioned that the Sate had threatened to pull out of the SAG if the badminton event is shifted from Shillong to Guwahati.
The State Government had also sent a letter to the Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in this connection urging it to ensure that the discipline is not shifted out of Shillong.
Earlier in the week, president of the Meghalaya State Badminton Association, Dr W Kharshiing had alleged that the badminton event was “hijacked” by Assam and the neighboring state’s former minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma was primarily responsible for the change of venue of the discipline.
The multipurpose SAI Sports Centre at North East Hill University was reportedly found not suitable by the Badminton Association of India officials owing to poor lighting and lack of wooden flooring at the warm-up area.
National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand is coming to Shillong to inspect the venue.
