Shillong: Meghalaya hosting the 39th National Games in 2022 is uncertain, but the state government has gone ahead in taking up infrastructural works for the same, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed the assembly on Monday.
“Goa will host the National Games this year, and whether we will host it in 2022 or not, the chance is bleak. But the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will decide on this,” he said in the course of his reply to the debate on Budget discussion in the State.
After the 36th National Games in Goa, the 37th National Games will be hosted by Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya will host the 39th National Games only after the 38th National Games to be hosted by Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has gone ahead in taking up infrastructural works as he mentioned the development of sports infrastructure at PA Sangma Stadium, Tura, JN Stadium Shillong and construction of sports stadium at Wahïajer in West Jaiñtia Hills district.
As Meghalaya will celebrate 50 years of statehood in 2022, Sangma informer the Assembly that Union Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju have suggested that the North East Youth Festival should be hosted by Meghalaya in 2022, besides a proposal to host the National Table Tennis Championship in Meghalaya in 2022.
Sangma announced that the next financial year 2021-2022 will be the “Year of the Youth” and an ambitious programme known as “one skill one talent” will be implemented to provide opportunities to the youth of the state to learn different skills and talents, besides learning languages of other countries.
