SHILLONG, May 3: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has suggested Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to strip Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh of his portfolio and hand it over to someone who is “more competitive”.
This statement comes against the backdrop of the 4th Meghalaya Games which is under way in the state.
The AITC Pynursla Block Committee has come down heavily on the Sports and Youth Affairs department and the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) while deploring the “lack of accountability” with regard to preparations for the Meghalaya Games.
Expressing shock at the “irresponsible attitude of the state sporting officials”, AITC Block Committee leader Dominic S Wankhar said, “It is a shock that the Chief Minister himself had to personally take things into his own hand which shows that his cabinet colleague who holds the sports portfolio has not been responsible enough”
“It would be best that the Chief Minister removes the sports portfolio and gives it to someone who is more competitive enough to perform and show something different,” Wankhar added.
The party further alleged that there is lack of infrastructural development and top-class facilities which should have been ready.
“It seems the MDA government is good in boasting of its achievements with its annual report but has not taken a look at the plight of the Sports department,” the AITC Pynusla Block Committee leader said.
He added that the “State Sports Policy seems to have gathered moss in some shelf and it has not been put in public domain to deliberate further”.
Pointing out that central government has an endeavour to promote new sporting events and uplift the training skills of young sportspersons under Khelo India initiative, Wankhar lamented that “funds meant to bring up new talents and upscale new sporting disciplines in the state do not match up to the reality”.