Shillong, Oct 25: Meghalaya Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mr. Zenith M Sangma felicitated the winners of National Subroto Cup Football Tournament under 17 years boys – O M Roy Memorial Higher Secondary School, Shillong at Yojana Bhavan Auditorium, Shillong on 25th October 2013. The players were felicitated with the presentation of shawls and cheque of Rs, 2 lakh from the state government. The programme was organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Meghalaya Shillong.
Mr. Zenith Sangma congratulated the young players of O M Memorial Secondary School for winning the prestigious Subroto Cup 2013 for under 17 Boys Football Tournament after a gap of 14 years. He encouraged the boys to utilize their gifted talent with determination, self discipline and in the right direction. Mr. Sangma further reiterated that with their ability they should go beyond the boundaries of our country and ceaseless effort and hard work is needed for achieving this desired goal. He also urged them to be positive, constructive and responsible citizens in future.
Inspite of the fact that football is the popular game of the state and the youth are doing excellent in the field, Mr. Sangma lamented that there are various constraints and inadequate infrastructure which is not supporting the players. For this reason the State Government is creating more avenues by creating more infrastructures and there will be one Sports Complex comprising of outdoor, indoor stadium and other infrastructure in every block in rural areas within this current financial year, he informed.
Besides this, the government has initiated to create big football stadiums with FIFA norms in different parts of the state and funds has already been earmarked by the Ministry of DONER for setting up stadiums in Tura and Ampati having the capacity of accommodating 20,000 spectators. Apart from these, a master plan has been prepared for Football Stadium of International Standard which can accommodate 40,000 to 50,000 spectators in Shillong, he added.
Others who spoke on the occasion are Mr. P Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Mr. F R Kharkongor, Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs Department Mrs A Syiemlieh, Principal, O M Memorial Secondary School, Mawlai, Mr. F Pariat, General Secretary, Meghalaya Athletic Association, Mr. S S Rapthap, General Secretary, Meghalaya Football Association in the presence of Sports and Youth Affairs Director Mr. F M Dopth and Deputy Director Mr. J R Marak.(SP News)
