GUWAHATI: The Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) has informed that a working group is in its final stages of examining and fine-tuning suggestions and recommendations by stakeholders on the draft sports policy for submission to the state government.
“IIM Shillong after studying the policies prevailing in many states forwarded its draft recommendations recently. Thereafter, a working group chaired by the director of the sports department along with MSOA officials has been meeting regularly to discuss, fine tune and improve on the draft prior to submission to the government for its final call,” MSOA working president, John F. Kharshiing told The Shillong Times on Tuesday.
Some of the important issues the sports policy would be addressing are sports medicine, data mining of athletic children, career path in sports and the substantial financial commitments required for effective policies.
“The working group discussion is in its final stages and is likely to forward the matter to sports minister and government for a final call,” Kharshiing said.
Meghalaya will be hosting the 39th edition of the National Games in 2022 and there is scepticism among circles in the state whether the absence of a sports policy over the years will affect its preparations for the event.
The state had organised the South Asian Games jointly with Assam back in February 2016.
“When I got elected as working president of MSOA in 2015, there were two objectives in mind. One was to pursue the state government to host the National Games and the other was to have a youth and sports policy in place, to which we can say we have progressed significantly,” he said.
“In the interest of the future of the youth of the state, we are very hopeful to see these issues go through with the full commitment of the sports minister, the chief minister and his entire Cabinet including the positive energy, vibe and support of the people of the state for hosting the prestigious National Games,” the MSOA official said.
“We will be able to overcome all obstacles. I recall everyone rising to the occasion ahead of the South Asian Games, which we organised in two months’ time,” he said.
The host city contract was signed by the government of Meghalaya, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and MSOA in January this year.
The IOA had subsequently approved the composition of the members of the National Games Organising Committee with a few modifications. As many as 36 disciplines have been listed for the 2022 Games.
“A team preparation committee under the sports department was also set up to make recommendations regarding the kind of support required by sports associations in preparation of probable state teams for the 2022 Games. In the quest for opportunities we are looking at the big picture and hence we welcome all constructive suggestions which will help us in the journey for perfection,” Kharshiing said.
It may be mentioned there are three editions of the Games to be held in Goa (March 2019), Chattisgarh (2020) and Uttarakhand (2021) respectively before Meghalaya hosts the 39th edition in 2022.
“Conflict of interest in sports administration and governance is one issue the central and state governments must work on together. Besides, hosting National Games must be made mandatory for all states on a rotational basis, which will help create a benchmark in infrastructure, governance and provide a level-playing field for all in India,” he added.