BRIDGE THE GAP

There is a famous say ing, “If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

Meghalaya Games 2019-20 helped showcase the state’s achievements in the sporting arena while bringing out the lacunae that need to be addressed to make any significant mark at the National Games to be held in the state in 2022.

The recently-concluded Games, held after a gap of 16 years, did fill the heart with pride at the brilliant performance of some from across the state, cutting across gender and age.  Their stellar show at the big stage was despite many an impediment particularly infrastructural inadequacy and lack of support for practice and trials. If they still did well, it was purely due to individual grit and determination.

Now that the state games are done and dusted, it will be worth the while to look at the takeaways and strategies for the 2022 National Games. The task is cut out to move on to the next level.

One is identification and spotting of special talents and preparing them for the marquee event just two years away.  Second, providing the chosen ones support — monetary and infrastructure to impart them the desired training and build-up.

Sunday Shillong had the privilege to interact with athletes and coaches who had come from fur-flung areas to participate in the Meghalaya Games, their eyes betraying dream and hearts packed with courage to create a distinct identity and carve a niche of their own.

Bismo Sumer, essentially a runner from East Jaintia Hills, said that when he arrived at the J N Stadium Polo, and put his bare feet on the cushioned surface of the track, he could not believe that a race track could be so soft.

He said, “There in my place, we do not have proper race tracks for practice, we can’t even practice on the fields as most of them remain wet and muddy throughout the year due to rain.”

He has no option but to run on the road.  “I wake up early in the morning every day, and run on the road. Sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. Though it hurts the legs but this is the only way to practice.”

Running on the road to practice may seem horrendous, but this is as simple as ABC for another athlete, Jas Langstang, since it is the only economical choice to pursue dreams in his area.

Langstand knows road-running involves risks. “But what to do?” he asks in exasperation.  “We have to run on roads for our practice. Yes, we know there are chances of accidents, there are chances of injuries due to the hard surface of the concrete path, but we have to take this risk to prepare for the upcoming games. No risk, no gain”, he signs off with a smile.

Another athlete from South Garo Hills, Ianagreva S Marak, who participated in both the long jump and high jump, said that she didn’t get to prepare for the Meghalaya Games properly as she was not aware of the fixture till very late.

 ”I could not prepare well as I was not aware of the exact dates of the events. However, I am looking forward to the National Games and preparing for that”, said Ianagreva.

Asked how the infrastructure at J N Sadium compares with what’s available in South Garo Hills, Ianagreva sounded dejected. “Yes, we have facilities and grounds there, but they are not in very good condition and obviously not at par with the facilities at JN Stadium”, she said.

Ianagreva was, however, happy to come to Shillong for the Games.

“I felt very happy to be here and most importantly, I made new friends, which was a bonus”, said the Class XI student of a government-run school in South Garo Hills.

Endy Bamon, who is a basketball coach and led a team from East Jaintia Hills thanked the authorities for organising such a grand event and said it was a huge step forward for preparation for the National Games. Bamon said his team had prepared for more than three weeks for the Meghalaya Games.  However, he lamented the lack of proper facilities back home.

Bamon said that training is difficult in the absence of any proper basketball court. He even said that money is a big issue as often coaches and players have to pool in money to buy necessities for the game and even arrange local tournaments.

“It is a bit difficult out there as we do not have proper basketball courts. Even money is a big issue for us. We contribute money to arrange tournaments and buy necessities. We do not even get funds from the government for systematic preparation. Even we have to wait for a school to get over so that we can use its basketball court, “added Bamon.

While Bamon and his players have to wait for the school to get over to use its court, his counterpart from West Jaintia Hills, Pleasantly Sangma, said he has to share a single court among so many players and coaches to practice.

“We lack a lot of facilities there. There is one basketball court and we all players and coaches have to wait for turns to actually play. This actually affects the quality of practice and a lot of time is wasted waiting. Had there been many more basketball courts, we could have prepared better,” said Pleasantly who said he would like to appeal to the government and sports authorities to add more basketball courts in West Jaintia Hills so that they can prepare better for major tournaments and national competitions.

On a lighter note, young martial artist Teilang from from RiBhoi said he was very happy to participate in Meghalaya Games. It was like a dream come true for him, the Wushu artist said. This will inspire him to work harder for the National Games.

However, as for practice, Teilang shared some interesting facts. Wushu, a form of Chinese Kungfu and a full contact sport, requires a lot of costly padding and dummies for practice.

He prepares those dummies himself and with the help of his coach by tying clothes and cushions to tree trunks. Sometimes, he even practises his skill on bare tree trunks.Meghalaya is the cradle of talents but it cannot be denied they are still very raw.  To make champions out of raw talents it requires a huge effort on all fronts— financial, physical, nutrition, infrastructure, guidance, coaching et al. Despite the limitations and drawbacks they face, all the players and coaches share a common dream: to win medals for the state and the country in national and international competitions.

The state government and sports authorities are trying their best to provide necessary help and support to the players and athletes. Yet, gaps remain between endeavour and benefits reaped.

Over to National Games 2022.