SHILLONG: Following the Meghalaya Swimming Association’s (MSA) opposition to the commercialisation of Crinoline swimming pool, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has assured that he would review the bidding process in this regard.
In a media communiqué released on Sunday, MSA general secretary Ian Khongmen said the association is against the proposed Expression of Interest (EoI) on Crinoline swimming pool management and the bidding process should be stopped.
The MSA also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister in this regard on Saturday.
The memorandum, which was also submitted to Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma, said the EOI floated by Meghalaya State Sports Council to obtain the services of a qualified firm for managing the swimming pool “is not acceptable”.
The statement said the government should hand over the management of the pool to MSA.
MSA apprised the Chief Minister of its objection to Meghalaya State Sports Council’s attempt to generate revenue from the few sports infrastructure in the State. Along with legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit, also a swimming enthusiast, the delegation met the Chief Minister and urged him to terminate the bidding process in the interest of promoting swimming in the State and training youngsters for the 2022 National Games that Meghalaya has proposed to host.
The members of MSA added that Crinoline pool is the only functional government-owned pool in the State and its commercialisation will spell doom for the promotion of competitive swimming and diving as the highest bidder will use the swimming facility to maximise profit.
According to MSA, the Chief Minister assured the delegation that he would review the tendering process and has agreed that in the interest of developing human capital in sports, commercialisation of sports infrastructure will be stopped.
