Shillong: The Meghalaya Government has chalked out an elaborate plan to produce players to take part in the Olympics and already initiated measures towards this goal, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told the assembly on the concluding day of the autumn session Friday.
With 85 per cent of the population under 45 years of age, 74 per cent under 35 and 59 per cent under 25 years, he said that if provided the right opportunities, this “large proportion of the young population” could become the “key agents for social change, economic development and technological innovation”.
“Taking due cognizance of this, the State Sports Policy and the State Youth Policy was approved in 2019 and 2021 respectively. The policies lay out a detailed framework for engaging and empowering the 12 lakhs young people of the State in the age group of 15-29 years to be able to realise their full potential in various spheres including sports,” he said in reply to a calling attention motion moved by opposition Congress legislator Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang.
“Recently, we witnessed the youth of the country put up their best-ever performance at the Tokyo Olympics. This has made all of us proud. However, it is to be acknowledged that there was no athlete from Meghalaya in the Olympic squad. Given the large youth population and the sporting culture, the government felt that concerted efforts need to be made with a goal of having Meghalayan athletes represent the country in the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. I declared this commitment of the government in my recent Independence Day speech,” he said.
Sangma said that the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs has started building world-class sports infrastructure at Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Tura, West Garo Hills and Wahiajer, West Jaintia Hills. Rural infrastructure, including football grounds, running tracks and basketball courts are being constructed across various locations.
“Several sports infrastructure are being upgraded and developed in line with international standards and specifications to ensure that our athletes have state-of-the-art infrastructure to train and nurture their talent,” the Chief Minister said.
Upgradation and enhancement of the JNS Sports Complex, Shillong, estimated at Rs 39.01 crore, PA Sangma Integrated Sports Complex, estimated at Rs 127.98 crore, Wahiajer Outdoor Stadium, West Jaintia Hills District, estimated at Rs 24.97 crore and Ampati Outdoor Stadium, South West Garo Hills District, which is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 46.64 crore are some of the major sports projects in the State, he said.
“Additionally, 57 grassroots level sports infrastructure projects including renovations and new constructions have been sanctioned in the financial year 2020-21 amounting to Rs 20.72 crore and 110 projects in the present financial year 2021-22 amounting to Rs 67.86 crore,” Sangma further informed.
“In total, the government has initiated sports infrastructure projects with a total investment of about Rs 500 crore. Such large-scale investment in the sports sector has never been done in the State before. This infrastructure would provide the foundation for the youth of the State to participate and achieve competitive excellence,” he said.
Sangma said that the Meghalayan Games were organised in 2020 after a gap of 16 years.
“The event saw participation from over 1600 athletes. The event has now been institutionalised and shall be conducted on an annual basis by the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) with support from the State Government,” the Chief Minister said, adding that this competition provides a platform for the young athletes of the State to test and showcase their skills.
“Through competitions such as these, talented athletes are identified for further grooming and development,” he pointed out.
Sangma said the State is slated to host the 39th Edition of the National Games, but the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted sporting calendars across the globe including the national games.
He , however, said the hosting the national games will play an important role in inspiring the athletes of the State to compete and achieve laurels for the State. adding that the State government, in close coordination with the MSOA and the various State sports associations, is in the process of submitting candidatures for hosting various international/national/regional competitions in the year 2022, when Meghalaya would celebrate the golden jubilee year of Statehood.
“The JNS Stadium Complex in Shillong has been accorded the accreditation of a Centre of Excellence under the Sports Ministry’s flagship programme Khelo India. Under the scheme, 3 Olympic sport disciplines (Boxing, Athletics, Archery) are slated to be supported technically and financially with a grant of approximately Rs 8 crores over a period of 4 years,” he informed.
“Over 10 centres in the State have received accreditation from the Khelo India scheme as district-level small Khelo India centres. The centres would be financially supported for procurement of sports equipment and support to technical staff. The State is in process of further leveraging the various verticals of the Khelo India Scheme for grassroots sports
development,” the chief minister said.
Post the construction of the PA Sangma Integrated Sports Complex and the JNS Stadium, the State government is contemplating entering into partnerships with international and national level sports institutions and bodies for setting up of centres of excellence at the two venues, he said.
“Another critical step for producing Olympians is to identify the right talent from the right age groups. For instance, for the 2024 Olympics the right age group to identify and nurture would be the current15-20-year olds. For the 2028 Olympics the relevant target age group would be much younger. We are putting in place a talent identification and development programme in coordination with the MSOA. Under the programme a large number of children under different age groups would be screened and those exhibiting potential would be channelled into more structured training programmes. This programme shall be conducted using globally accepted online and offline testing methods,” he elaborated.
“I strongly feel that with world-class infrastructure, the right talent identification and development mechanism and with access to high quality coaching, our athletes will be able to excel and represent the country in the Olympics,” the Chief Minister said.
