By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 11: Notwithstanding the infrastructural lacunae in state concerning sports, Meghalaya government is making an earnest push to host the National Games in March 2025 — approximately two years from now, a timeframe within which the state must ready crucial infrastructure and facilities to be able to host the prestigious Games.
At the annual general meeting of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) here on Thursday, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri said that discussions were taken up on the preparation for the National Games.
“We are making all efforts to hold the games in 2025,” Warjri, who is also the president of MSOA, said.
Informing media persons here that one review meeting on hosting the Games has already been held, the MSOA president said another such review meet will again be held soon.
He emphasised that the state’s preparedness in terms of infrastructure among other things need to checked from time to time.
“We have already bid to host the games. But there are other states who will be hosting the games before us. It is only then we will get the opportunity to host the games,” the Sports and Youth Affairs minister said.
After the 36th National Games in Goa, the 37th games will be hosted by Chhattisgarh followed by the 38th edition in Uttarakhand.
Meghalaya is in queue to host the 39th National Games.
Talking about Thursday’s AGM meeting, the MSOA president said 10 agendas were taken up.
The meeting discussed the annual audit report of the association. An auditor has been appointed for the year 2023-2024, he said.
Discussions were also held on the India Olympic Association (IOA) manual which was amended.
The Sports and Youth Affairs department is trying to help athletes who are representing the state in non-Olympic sports like arm wrestling and Muay Thai as well, the minister said.
“We have recently reached out to some of the Muay Thai athletes who will represent the country in Thailand,” he said.
Warjri also said that the department will try to address the shortage of coaches and physical instructors in various districts of the state.
“We will also make efforts to improve the sports infrastructures across the state. We have decided to come up with athletic track in both Ri-Bhoi and West Jaintia Hills,” he added.