SHILLONG, Jan 4: Union Minister of State Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju on Monday said he was not sure if Meghalaya could host National Games 2022 because of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
But he assured support to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the state in their effort to stick to the schedule.
“The proposal is there but due to COVID-19 the dates are becoming a problem. Goa was scheduled to host the games in 2020 but missed it due to COVID-19,” the minister said, adding Goa would “probably” host the games this year.
He was iffy about Meghalaya hosting the 2022 Games in time because of the delay in conducting the 2020 games.
“Whether Meghalaya can do it next year is not anybody’s fault. Chief Minister Sangma is very enthusiastic about the 2022 National Games but a lot of our planning and creations are in jeopardy because of the pandemic,” Rijiju said.
“I can’t say how the pandemic will behave but I will support the Chief Minister and Meghalaya,” he said.
The National Games 2022 is seen as a gala event to commemorate the Golden Jubilee celebration of Meghalaya’s statehood.
Sangma had earlier said all necessary steps for the 2022 games were being taken despite the delay in implementation of developmental projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction work for some of the projects has resumed with adherence to all health protocols, he said.
State Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh had said that a decision on delaying the National Games to 2023 would be taken by the Indian Olympic Association but the state government was keen on hosting it in 2022 to mark 50 years of statehood.
“The state government is actively preparing for the National Games. The construction of the PA Sangma Stadium in Tura will begin soon and the tender for the re-development of the JN Stadium at Polo, Shillong, is likely to be floated soon,” Lyngdoh said.
