Shillong, May 3: After hiccups and complaints, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma opened the 4th Meghalaya Games 2022 at the SSA Stadium, First Ground, here on Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, the government had come under flak for shabby accomodation provided to the participants.
Following this, some of them were accomodate in hotels.
Later, speaking to reporters, the chief minister assured to further improve the Meghalaya Games.
The chief minister had checked on the arrangements at JN Sports Complex on Monday night after images of poor condition of players went viral.
He said the incident was avoidable and that steps should have been taken to minimise the difficulties faced by the athletes.
The chief minister said the defective toilets were not meant for use but somebody opened them and clicked pictures which is again very unfortunate.
Earlier, the chief minister, who is also the chief patron of the Games, congratulated the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, which in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, is hosting the event, which comprises 19 disciplines and participation of 2,500 athletes.
He also announced that the next year’s edition will take place in Tura and the 2024 event in Jowai.
“This is one of the events to mark 50 years of statehood and in 50 years this is only the fourth Meghalaya Games and the second in the last four years,” the chief minister said. The Meghalaya Games was revived by the state government in 2020.
With a growing population of youngsters – 22 lakh below the age of 25 at present – it is very important that Meghalaya give the youth the opportunity to participate in the sports they love, pursue their dreams as sportspersons and showcase their talent, he added.
“There are a lot of challenges and nothing starts readymade,” he said. “It is not a case of plug and play – we must appreciate the MSOA for taking up the challenge with the Department”, he added.
Encouraging the athletes to be disciplined, he said, “This moment will define who you will become and shape your character. Enjoy it, learn from it and embrace discipline.”
The chief minister announced that this will be an annual event.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, who is also the ex-officio president of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, and Mawphlang MLA and Indian football legend Eugeneson Lyngdoh were present.
The sports minister appreciated the move to increase the number of disciplines this year to 19.
The MSOA working president, John F Kharshiing, in his welcome address, noted that there were only nine disciplines conducted in the first Meghalaya Games in 2001.
Although there have been challenges in accommodating all the athletes, this is due to the fact that the JN Sports Complex is undergoing significant and extensive renovations and upgrades, resulting in space constraints, he said.
Kharshiing thanked the state government for its support, saying that the event is “full of challenges but opportunities as well. The huge interest shows that children want to come and participate. He also thanked the athletes for coping with the limitations in accommodation and promised improvements.
Also included in the opening ceremony was a march-past of athletes, oath-taking administered by star Meghalaya karateka Wandahunshisha Mawblei and the performance of songs and cultural dances. The North East Small Finance Bank also sponsored equipment for two elite shooters of the state – Anjali Singh and Dennyson Kyrsian. These were presented to the shooters by the chief minister.
