SHILLONG, MAR 9: The state government on Wednesday said it will identify more sports disciplines in which people of the state have got potentials.
Replying to a query in the assembly on Wednesday, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma said, “We are giving priority and trying to identify disciplines which are popular in Meghalaya.”
He also informed that the department is also making efforts to increase the number of coaches in the state.
According to him, the government has identified so far 10 sports disciplines for development of sports activities and events in the state.
For this, a total of 33 coaches are available in the department out of which 8 coaches are for Football, 9 – Athletics, 2 – Table Tennis, 3 – Boxing, 2 – Karate, 2 – Basketball, 2 – Badminton, 3 – Archery, 1 – Taekwondo and 1 – Judo, he informed.
Earlier while raising a supplementary question, opposition UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh urged the government to consider increasing the number of disciplines and coaches to cater to all the eleven districts of the state.
According to him the present number of disciplines and coaches is too less and not enough to develop sports activities in the state.
Expressing concern over the sports scenario in the state, Mawthoh said, “Despite having a youth population with lots of potentialities, I failed to understand we are not doing too well in the sports arena.”
Stating the state was fortunate to co-host the recently concluded 12th South Asian Games, he however said, “But there is little to cheer about especially in term of infrastructure and securing of medals.”
On this, the minister said that there are also other sports disciplines (other than the 10 disciplines identified) where the state’s sportspersons are excelling.
He also informed that the government is also extending assistance to as many as 33 sports associations adding based on the potentials that the government is giving priority.
Meanwhile, UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh has also expressed concern over the failure of the government to give priority to Hockey discipline in the state.
“Recently, Meghalaya was adjudged runner’s up after it lost in the Hockey finals to Manipur but still this game is not getting priority,” he said.
Admitting that hockey is an important discipline, the minister said to develop any discipline and infrastructure, funds are needed but the government is trying to study and take up disciplines in a phase manner.
Reacting to a query, Sangma also informed that the state is yet to conduct a scientific study to determine the core area of strength of Meghalaya sports.
“But the government is contemplating to find out the potentialities of youths pertaining to different disciplines,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister also assured to take action against the complaint made by the members on the alleged failure of the Karate coach to be in his place of posting at Tura, West Garo Hills district.-By Our Reporter
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