Lack of evening sports facilities in city sparks community concerns

SHILLONG, April 24: The absence of dedicated sporting facilities within localities and societies in Shillong has left residents with limited options for engaging in sports activities and maintaining fitness, unlike in other cities where both government and private authorities have taken initiatives to create artificial turfs for various games.
Apart from an artificial football turf in Mawlai and at the Polo ground, the options for evening recreation in Shillong are rather sparse, leaving many residents with little choice but to remain indoors. In contrast, cities like Kolkata and Guwahati have embraced the concept of artificial turfs for cricket, football, and other sports, providing office-goers and busy individuals with opportunities to engage in recreational activities during the evening and night.
The introduction of evening sports facilities not only promotes physical fitness but also offers a constructive way for people to spend their leisure time.
However, this concept is yet to materialize in Shillong, where existing football and cricket grounds lack lighting facilities, limiting their usage to daytime hours.
Many residents believe that implementing the idea of evening sports facilities would greatly benefit various segments of society, including office-goers, businessmen, and youth, by offering them a healthy outlet for recreation and keeping them away from negative influences. Advocates of this approach cite the popularity of the artificial turf in Mawlai, which attracts youths in the evening, as evidence of the potential demand for such facilities across the city and the state.As the call for expanded recreational opportunities grows louder, there is increasing pressure on the government to take proactive steps towards creating more sporting facilities that cater to the diverse interests and needs of Shillong’s residents.As the demand for evening sports facilities gains momentum in Shillong, residents remain hopeful for proactive measures from both government and private entities to address the existing gap in recreational infrastructure.