By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said on Wednesday that the government intends to make football the number one sport of the state. Stating that adequate funds have been allocated to achieve this objective, Dr. Sangma, in course of budget discussions reply, said besides impetus to sports, music will also get adequate support and attention from the government.
Elaborating on the government’s focus on development of sports infrastructure in the state, the CM said that exercise for identification of land for the purpose has been completed.
Notably 120 acres of land at Mawdiangdiang will be acquired shortly out of which 40 acres would be earmarked for a state-of-the-art football stadium on the lines of the South Africa World Cup stadia.
“Besides this, 20 acres will be used for landscaping and green belts while 10 acres will house food courts and other ancillary facilities,” Dr. Sangma said while adding that the remaining land will be used for establishment of modern facilities for tennis and contact sports such as karate, taekwondo, boxing among others.
“We will also have infrastructure for development of Archery for which our State is acknowledged besides adventure sports such as rock climbing and other related activities,” Dr. Sangma added.
The CM also assured that astroturfing work will be carried out in Jowai and Tura also besides introducing Futsal in all districts and sub divisions so that aspiring footballers can get better opportunities to hone their skills and look at football as a viable career option in the state which has no dearth of talented footballers.
