Jowai, Jan 24: The Garo Hills wrestling teams’ performance was disappointing at the 6th Meghalaya Games in Jowai. The region bagged one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
The two-day championship concluded on Thursday. East Khasi Hills was the star of the show with nine gold medals followed by West Jaintia Hills with three and East Jaintia Hills with two gold.
Wrestling is a new sport discipline in the state requiring more attention. While East Khasi Hills has better facilities to nurture talent, Garo Hills has a serious gap there.
Prangkybirth M Momin, who coaches wrestlers in North Garo Hills, said the region has talent but does not have enough coaches to nurture the young wrestlers. “I have to travel across the region to train people. This is a major problem that we face,” he added.
Team manager Merited G Momin seconded the coach’s sentiment. According to him, the sport is new to the region and requires more attention.
Isaiah Kharmawphlang, the president of the Meghalaya Wrestling Association, said the problem is not just in Garo Hills but in other districts, barring East Khasi Hills, too.
“There are no training facilities in most of the districts. The sport was established just three years back. Most of the wrestlers who won from Jaintia Hills or West Khasi Hills are trained in East Khasi Hills because the infrastructure here is set. There are enough coaches too. The Garo Hills districts which are far away from East Khasi Hills miss out on this opportunity,” he explained.
According to Kharmawphlang, the gap in these faraway districts can be bridged by inviting coaches from outside the state.
“With the Games being hosted in West Jaintia Hills, most of the equipment will be left behind and this could be the first step in encouraging young talents who can take up wrestling. I saw a lot of enthusiasm among the youth here. We hope that in the next five years, we will have wrestlers who can represent the state at the national level,” he added.
List of winners:
