Shillong, March 24: Meghalaya’s recent showing at the 3rd North East Games in Nagaland has stirred discussions and prompted calls for patience and strategic planning as the state aims to bolster its sporting prowess.
Despite extensive efforts and highlighted promises from the Meghalaya Government to foster Olympian talent and elevate the state’s sports standing, the outcomes fell short of expectations, with Meghalaya finishing seventh out of eight competitors.
The Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA), in a press release following the event, acknowledged the need for patience from citizens, emphasizing the considerable time and effort required to cultivate champions. John F Kharshiing, Working President of MSOA, highlighted the relatively nascent nature of sports investments in the state, pointing out that such endeavors began only three years ago.
“Our citizens need to understand that it takes ten thousand hours or 10 years of working & training hard to produce a champion. All these investments in sports have started only last three years,” says John F Kharshiing, Working President, Meghalaya State Olympic Association in a press release on Sunday. Looking forward, the MSOA intends to conduct a comprehensive review with all 14 sports associations to formulate strategies aimed at enhancing future performances. Recognizing the significance of strong funding and streamlined team preparation processes, discussions are underway at both state and regional levels to address issues such as athlete availability during key events and the inclusion of more Olympic sports in future North East Games.
“On behalf of MSOA we congratulate the entire Meghalaya contingent especially the 55 medal winners. While we could have done better the 3rd North East games and similar sporting events are opportunities for us to continue to learn from the challenges in team preparation and reaching the podium finish. We will introspect review with all the 14 sports associations to discuss strategies and policies in improving our medal performances,” Kharshiing added. Efforts to bolster sports infrastructure and talent development are underway, with initiatives including sports scholarships, talent identification programs, and the recruitment of national and international coaches across various disciplines.
The MSOA has also presented detailed proposals to the Meghalaya Education Commission, seeking endorsement for the implementation of the Meghalaya Sports Policy 2019.
While emphasizing the time required for these initiatives to yield significant results, stakeholders remain optimistic about the state’s sporting future. Congratulating the medal winners and expressing gratitude to athletes, coaches, and officials for their dedication, the MSOA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a conducive sports ecosystem in Meghalaya.
In conclusion, while the road to sporting excellence may be long and challenging, Meghalaya remains steadfast in its pursuit of podium finishes and the realization of its sports policy objectives.
