Shillong, March 13: The finals of ‘Assam Rifles Invitational Football Cup 2020’ was organised at HQ Assam Rifles at Laitkor, Shillong on 13th March wherein Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma graced the event as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by Shri MS Rao, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya. The Hon’ble Chief Minister was received and felicitated by Director General Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General Sukhdeep Sangwan.
In his address, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma while complementing the efforts of the Assam Rifles in organising the popular tournament year after year said that the tournament is not only an opportunity for young footballers to showcase their talent but is also an event that brings people and society together.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to develop sports in the State the Chief Minister said that the Government has embarked on the initiative to create new sports infrastructure and upgrade existing facilities throughout the state.
‘As a government we are focusing on sports. In this coming two years we will be investing more than Rs. 450 Cr to create different sports infrastructure throughout the state. The Government has already taken the initiative to upgrade the P.A. Sangma stadium in Tura into an Integrated Sports Complex. It will be a state of the art facility dedicated exclusively to football’, he said.
Spelling out the Government’s plans to develop football in the state the Chief Minister added that steps are afoot to create an international level football academy in Shillong to nurture the talents of young boys and girls to skill them professionally in the sport.
In his address, Director General Assam Rifles thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya for gracing the event and motivating the aspiring football players of the State. He also extended his compliments to the young participants, their coaches and managers.
The DG, in his address, also proudly announced that in its pursuit of promoting sports in the North East, the Assam Rifles has succeeded in seeking Govt of India’s approval for converting the ARPS Shillong to a Sports School with funds getting released under ‘Khelo India Initiative’. ‘It will be only the second such school in the country on the lines of Sports School Rai, Sonepat (Haryana) which is a matter of great pride for Assam Rifles as well as for Meghalaya’, he said.
The enthralling final match was played between ‘LAWMALI SC’ and ‘UMPHRUP SC’. ‘LAWMALI SC’ won the match by a margin of 5-0 goals and bagged the trophy and prize money of Rs 1,00,000/-(Rupees one lakh), while Runners Up was awarded Rs 50,000/-(Rupees Fifty thousand).
