SHILLONG, May 8: Embarrassed by the mismanagement during the just-concluded fourth edition of Meghalaya Games, the state government is now contemplating to host all upcoming major sports events on its own.
Official sources on Sunday said Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma and Sports Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh are upset over the Meghalaya State Olympic Association’s (MSOA) failure to successfully conduct the Meghalaya Games.
According to the sources, the CM has sought a detailed report and also ordered an inquiry into the controversies over the manner in which the event was organised.
The shortage of medals in the athletics events proved the MSOA’s incompetency in organising bigger events. Several winners did not receive their medals, the sources said.
A section of the media reported that an Under-16 athlete from East Khasi Hills, who was part of the girls’ 4x100m relay team, was left distraught. She and some of her teammates could not participate in the march-past at the opening ceremony on Tuesday because there were no Meghalaya Games tracksuits for them.
The sources revealed that earlier the Sports Minister had convened a meeting with the MSOA to know if the association would be able to host the Meghalaya Games. The members of the MSOA, led by its working president, John F Kharshiing and general secretary, Finely Pariat had assured they would organise it without any glitches.
The sources said the Sports department is expected to host the upcoming National Games, slated to be held in Meghalaya later this year, on its own. The MSOA will provide necessary assistance to the Sports department.
“We cannot take any more chances since we don’t want the National Games to be marred by controversies,” the sources said.
Earlier, the Sports Minister had stated that the lapses were intolerable. He had asked the MSOA to take corrective measures. “We need to make sure that this does not happen in the future,” Lyngdoh had stated.
An inquiry has been instituted by the state government to look into the controversy surrounding poor accommodation facilities for the participants, the CM had said on Thursday.
After widespread criticism, he himself had visited the venue at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex to take stock of the arrangements. The social media was abuzz with portrayals of the sorry state of affairs – soiled bathrooms, leaky roofs and unhygienic conditions.
“It is important to learn from mistakes. We need to ensure that necessary steps are taken against people who are responsible for these lapses,” Sangma had told reporters.
