By Our Reporter
Shillong, Jan 7: In a historic achievement for Meghalaya, Finely L. Pariat, the General Secretary of the Meghalaya Athletics Association (MAA), has been elected as one of the Joint Secretaries of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
The election took place during the two-day annual general meeting held in Chandigarh, marking a proud moment for the state.
Pariat, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Meghalaya State Olympics Association, expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.
“It is an honour for me to be the first from the state to hold this position,” he said. He thanked his family and supporters for their unwavering encouragement, which he credited for this milestone in his career.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Pariat emphasized his commitment to developing athletics in Meghalaya.
“With the support of my colleagues, I will do my best to nurture and support athletes who can compete at the national level. We have the talent, but it needs proper nurturing and encouragement.
“With active support from the government, we can produce champions. It’s a long-term process, but even producing one or two national-level athletes will make a huge difference for the state,” he said.
Pariat’s election not only highlights his personal dedication but also brings hope for the development of athletics in Meghalaya, as the state looks forward to more representation and success on the national stage.
In the same meeting, Asian Games gold medalist and former shot putter Bahadur Singh Sagoo was elected unopposed as the AFI President, succeeding the long-serving Adille Sumariwalla. Sagoo, 51, who won a gold medal at the 2002 Busan Asian Games and represented India at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, will serve a four-year term.
He is also a member of the AFI Athletes Commission.