SHILLONG, March 15: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has said that the possibility of Meghalaya holding the National Games in 2022 looks very bleak, but sports infrastructure development works are under way.
“In the way things are looking, the chances are very bleak. We have Goa, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh ahead of us. If the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) follows the same trend then we will get to host the National Games only after eight years,” Sangma said while speaking during the general discussion on the budget in the Assembly on Monday.
The chief minister also asserted that hosting the National Games is of course of great importance for the government. “Sadly this is not in our hands. The IOA will decide whether we can host it or not,” Sangma stated.
Pointing out they are not looking at the IOA, he informed that the government has gone ahead with the construction of the sports infrastructure. Giving details, he said that the construction of the PA Sangma Integrated Stadium has already started and is expected to be completed within this financial year.
He said that the work for the improvement of the existing Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo has also being taken up.
“We will also take up the construction of an indoor stadium near JN stadium,” he informed.