GUWAHATI: Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) has appreciated Lok Sabha MP from Tura, Agatha Sangma for raising the issue of infrastructure development for the Meghalaya National Games 2022, in the Parliament.
The National People’s Party (NPP) MP, while speaking in the Parliament on Wednesday, had sought Central assistance for infrastructure development in the Games’ host cities of Shillong and Tura and proposed a budget of Rs 2,199 crore in this regard.
Agatha also touched upon her party’s motto of striving for national ambition and regional aspirations, saying that “the National Games was a matter of pride for not only Meghalaya but also the country and that it was time to bring to life the spirit of the motto by successfully hosting the Games in 2022.
“We appreciate Agatha Sangma, MP, Lok Sabha for raising in Parliament the issue of infrastructure for the Meghalaya National Games. It’s in fact the prestige of the country to ensure that modern India has international quality infrastructure for National Games. We also look forward to all three MPs, 60 MLAs, 90 members of district councils to work unitedly to bring about a sporting community in Meghalaya,” MSOA working president John F. Kharshiing, told The Shillong Times on Thursday.
Kharshiing also praised new Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju for taking up encouraging and reassuring measures for the future of the younger generation of the state and nation. “We look forward to more bold initiatives from the Centre so that there is a paradigm shift in the approach to sports in India,” he said.
The MSOA working president further said that to produce internationally benchmarked Indian national players and Olympians, governments need to understand how important the formative years (from 14 to 20) of youngsters.
“It is not possible for youngsters interested in sports at an early age to acquire status and have such profiles to be recognised (commercially with sponsorships). This is where it’s extremely important for the governments to step in because it’s not possible for them get outside help,” Kharshiing said.
“It is also crucial for both Centre and states to reform and consider funding for athlete pathways to encourage talented youngsters to progress from club sport to district to state teams of Olympic sports. Funds should be allocated to world renowned professional talent identification camps, coaching is imperative for emerging athletes,” he added.