TURA, Sep 22: The 4th Men’s Inter Mahari Football Tournament and 2nd Inter Mahari Women’s Football tournaments concluded on Sunday evening with 2 exciting final matches here at the P A Sangma Stadium at Dakopgre in Tura.
Attending the final Tournament as Chief Guest, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma lauded the effort of the organisers and also congratulated them for organizing the event successfully in these years.
He also expressed his gratitude to the players, Maharis as well as organisers for actively participating and extending support towards the tournament.
Highlighting the support and encouragement of the Government of Meghalaya for various events and sports activities in the State, the Chief Minister informed that Meghalaya Games was held successfully in West Garo Hills and will be held Jaintia Hills next January 2025.
The Chief Minister further informed that an Inter Constituency Football League would also be started from next year. However, he added that participating teams would not be allowed to bring players from outside the State as it is purely to promote local youth and their talents.
Speaking on the development of sports infrastructure in the state, the Chief Minister informed that 33 Artificial Turfs have been sanctioned in the State of which 28 were already tendered while others would be tendered soon. He added that out of 12 Stadiums, 3 were already sanctioned while 10 Synthetic Tracks and altogether 77 new infrastructures are to be created in Meghalaya.
Informing that the present Government puts special emphasis for the interest of sports in the State, he said that about 14 lakhs has been sanctioned from CM’s Special Grant for the Mahari football tournament and Rs 10,000/- would be given to all the 57 competing teams.