SHILLONG:
The Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) under the Lead Programme has selected nine athletes from across 12 districts of the state to be trained and groomed for international events, including the Olympics.
Briefing media persons on July 4, Sports Minister Shakliar Warjri said, “The Sports Department under the lead programme tested around 14500 athletes from across the state of which 200 were shortlisted for further skill test, and of these 9 of them were chosen for three-year training programme that will upskill them for international competition.”
Warjri informed that out of the nine individuals, 6 have been selected for Athletics, 2 for Weightlifting, and 1 for Karate.
Speaking on the criteria of selection, the minister said that various benchmarking parameters were used for judging and selecting the individuals.
He also informed that the athletes may also be sent outside for training during the next three years.