TURA, July 29: In a historic step toward promoting youth engagement, sports and inclusive public spaces, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the foundation stone for the first-ever skate park in Garo Hills at the Tura Government College Field, located adjacent to the earmarked construction area.
The event was also attended by West Garo Hills (WGH) Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, WGH Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma, college faculty and students, and residents of the Te’teng A’ja locality.
In his speech, the chief minister expressed gratitude to the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) for their instrumental role in initiating the project, in collaboration with organisations like Decathlon.
Sangma applauded GHE for their extensive contributions in Meghalaya, which included providing solar lighting to 2,800 households, installing solar-powered backup systems in 24 public health centres, establishing smart classrooms in 26 schools, distributing 80,000 smokeless cooking stoves and 305 solar-powered cookers in the region.
Further, the CM announced the launch of a new project focused on skateboarding, BMX, and other adventure sports, with the objective of engaging youth and promoting a healthier lifestyle. He emphasised the government’s intent to host a State Championship for skateboarding and BMX by November or December 2025.
The CM also highlighted the Meghalaya government’s significant investments in sports infrastructure, stating that around 70% of existing infrastructure has been built in the past seven years, with over Rs 2,000 crore investment. He underscored the importance of such projects in enabling young people to train and compete at various levels, with facilities designed by international-level experts.
He reiterated the belief that youth are the nation’s most powerful asset, and emphasised the collective responsibility of the government and society to guide them away from unproductive activities. The CM assured continued support for youth-focused projects like outdoor gyms and skate parks, and encouraged their replication in other regions.
Natl Games closing ceremony in Tura?
Discussing the upcoming National Games, Sangma expressed his aspiration to host the closing ceremony in Tura, highlighting the region’s growing sports infrastructure. Despite logistical challenges, he affirmed the government’s commitment to achieving this goal.
He also urged athletes from Garo Hills to participate in the National Games and bring laurels to the state. The government, he assured, will extend full support to sports associations and athletes from the region to realise their potential.
“Our youth are our greatest strength. It is our duty to create platforms that nurture their potential and protect them from straying into unproductive paths. With initiatives like this skate park, we are not just building infrastructure—we are building the future,” the chief minister said.
