Stakeholder’s task cut out for prestigious event
SHILLONG: The various stakeholders will have their task cut out in the run up to the National Games 2022 to be hosted by Meghalaya.
This was observed during an open house discussion on the State’s medal winning prospects in the Games at the Meghalaya State Olympic Association conference hall here on Friday afternoon.
John F Kharshiing, working president, MSOA, Chiranjib Choudhury, general secretary, MSOA, members of other state sports associations and journalists from various print and electronic media houses attended the discussion which was organized on the occasion of Olympic Day.
While the State will have to host at least 35 disciplines in National Games, there are only 21 affiliated associations in Meghalaya at present.
“Several among them (21 affiliated associations) are defunct. Some are already in discussion with the MSOA to activate their associations,” Kharshiing said.
“The idea of holding the National Games is to get the necessary infrastructure in place and activate all the sports associations,” Kharshiing added even as he noted that at least 14 more associations have to be formed at the earliest without compromising on the intent they bring along.
While it would be one thing to form the associations, it would be a completely different affair to ensure that they are made capable of delivering on time.
Secretary of Shillong Sports Association, B Diengdoh while taking part in the discussion, said the State should not wait until 2022 to select the right athletes who can deliver.
“The preparation starts right here. We have three National Games to go before 2022. Our performance in these games will decide how we fare in the games at home,” Diengdoh, who was the chef de mission for Meghalaya in the last three editions of the games, said adding that efforts should be made to ensure that maximum number of athletes qualify for these games.
Meghalaya has not had an exemplary run in any of the national games held so far. The State has mostly banked on contact sports and football to secure medals in the top event.
Meghalaya Cricket Association honorary secretary Naba Bhattacharjee, who was also present on the occasion, advocated the need to treat the games as a “sports movement” which will further strengthen the base of a glorious sporting tradition in the State.
He called for awareness and mobilization right from the school level to generate the desired results in the long run.
He cautioned against random formation of sports associations and asked the MSOA to ensure that only those genuinely concerned with the development of the various disciplines should be involved in the task.
He also called for mobilisation at the government level where, the State can promote a particular discipline on priority basis in areas (districts, blocks) which show a promise to excel in that game.
All present in the open house discussion agreed that the State should focus on its strengths to garner maximum number of medals in the games.
It was also agreed upon that infrastructure development for the games should be closely followed up by all stakeholders.
