By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 14: The state government is spending a whopping Rs 23 crore to host the upcoming six-day Meghalaya Games in Tura from January 15 to 20.
Explaining the logic behind the massive expenditure for the sporting event without any new sporting infrastructure being constructed, Sports Minister Shakliar Warjri said the government wants to ensure that the competing athletes are given the best facilities in terms of food, transportation, accommodation, and others.
Defending the hefty expenditure, he said that the event will feature 22 disciplines.
Declaring that the goal of the games is to advance sports in the state and to provide young people with an opportunity and stage on which to showcase their abilities, the minister promised a disturbance-free event, assuring that everything is being taken care of.
Additionally, it was disclosed that all of the current facilities will be used in conjunction with the construction of new sporting infrastructure.
Three indigenous sports disciplines would also be featured at the Games for the first time.
The previous edition of the Games faced criticism for failing to provide the athletes with the necessary accommodations and other logistical facilities.