SHILLONG:
The Meghalaya State Olympic Association, working president, John F. Kharshiing flagged the issue of lack of sporting infrastructures in the state, during a meeting of sports associations on Tuesday.
Kharshiing said, that certain disciplines have to share the playing arena due to lack of space.
“We discussed how the respective associations can produce good players and how coaches will need camps periodically to enhance their skills,” the MSOA working president added.
Kharshiing said that the meeting was organised to listen to sports associations to prepare their respective points for taking up with the state government like financial assistance that has to be extended to the respective sports bodies.
Speaking to The Meghalayan, Kharshiing said, “The meeting today discussed the presentations made by the respective State association to the govt especially relating to the financial aid for conducting the annual state championships, budget for participating in NE Zones and the many Nationals which each association must mandatory participate, the meeting also discussed the urgent need for support of community coaches in the 12 districts of the state, budget for hiring national /international coaches at least 3 times a year, the meeting also discussed the urgent need for budgetary support for equipment in the various disciplines.”
Kharshiing along with MSOA general secretary Finely L. Pariat informed the media that, the government should extend an amount of Rs 50 crore to the sports associations for their various activities.
MSOA working president also said that the Team Preparation Committee of the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs had estimated an amount of Rs. 65 crore for the proper functioning of the associations from 2018-2022.
He also said that there was also discussion on the part of the Meghalaya Football Association to take forward the “Football Mission” which was once initiated by the state government.
The state associations hoped for early approval and release of the financial grants to enable the state association to prepare the athletes.
The meeting also discussed the issue of practice venues given that the JN Stadium and the U Tirot Sing Syiem Indoor Stadium, Lachumiere would be reconstructed.
The timely completion of these projects was also hoped.
Several state associations also urged the MSOA to take up with the sports department and government the need for permanent venues for the state association especially for the active and priority sports of Meghalaya.
The meeting was attended by over 13 of the 15 state associations. The meeting was convened by Finely Pariat, General Secretary and chaired by John F Kharshiing, Working President, MSOA.