SHILLONG, MAR 29: Three covered galleries around the stadium were inaugurated during the centenary celebrations of Shillong Sports Association on Tuesday at Shillong Sports Association Stadium (SSA) by Sports & Youth Affairs, Zenith M Sangma.
The 472.28 lakhs project was funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) and implemented by Shillong Sports Association.
Speaking at the occasion, Sangma congratulated SSA on completion of 100 glorious years in spite of various challenges it had faced in its long journey. He said that sports is an activity that brings people together and added that the recently concluded 12th South Asian Games co-hosted by the state despite the limited infrastructures of the state has been successful due to the active support of all stakeholders and has only generated interest and enthusiasm to bid for the National Games in 2022 which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of statehood.
He informed that the government has already earmarked 5 crores to bid for the national games and the challenges in the face of hosting the mega sporting event in the state need to be overcome. The minister also urged the members of SSA to contribute their suggestions and ideas to concertedly identify and promote potential sportspersons.
Also speaking at the function, Secretary, NEC, Ram Muivah, said that NEC has been playing a pivotal role in the development of sports infrastructure in all the eight states of north east.
He also said that NEC has institutionalized awards for outstanding sportspersons from North East India in the Asian Games. He remarked that though North East has immense potential in sports, 50 per cent of schools in the region are without a playground. He added that the way to improve sports in the region is to encourage on those disciplines like Football, Archery, Boxing, Karate etc in which north east has a potential. He also highlighted the various benefits of Sports to an individual and the society.
It may be mentioned that the Shillong Sports Association is one of the premier sports associations established in the 1916 to initially systemize, control and conduct football and hockey. Today, SSA has expanded to other disciplines of sports and now has 70 affiliated football clubs conducting various football tournaments and sporting activities within its jurisdiction of East Khasi hills.
Deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh, minister AL Hek, MLA Jemino Mawthoh, senior officials of the sports department, former and present members of SSA were also present at the celebrations.-By Our Reporter
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