Shillong, Dec 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma today laid the Foundation Stone for the Upgradation of J N Sports Complex, Shillong at a function that was held at the Sports complex to mark the event which was also attended by Minister, Sports & Youth Affairs, Banteidor Lyngdoh and Minister, C & RD, Hamlet Dohling.
Speaking during the occasion Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the long pending project was required in the Sports sector as the stadium was getting a facelift after almost thirty years.
“The upgradation of the J N Sports Complex with an Indoor Stadium funded by New Development Bank, the P A Sangma Sports Complex at Tura with Outdoor and Indoor Stadiums, a Sports Complex at Nartiang and other projects all over the State, all amounting to more than 400 crores is a major investment towards the Sports sector in the interest of our youth and sportspersons,” he said.
He also informed that the Sports Complex will house a number of facilities and host activities that are important for the youth. He also spelled a number of programmes in the pipeline for the youth and the sportsmen which would be a part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the State.
The Chief Minister also stated that it is important to push the youth in the right direction. “It is easy for the youth today to be diverted to unproductive and destructive activities so it is imperative for the government to channelize the energies of the youth into constructive forces and this can be done only by having the right policies, the right programmes and the right infrastructures,” he said.
He added that the State Sports Policy which had taken a setback because of the COVID will soon start rolling with improved situation. He also informed that the State Youth Policy which is a major pillar for the society and the government is a comprehensive policy.
Further, the Chief Minister urged the youth and aspiring athletes to not just take up Sports as just playing a game. “Sports impart valuable lessons of discipline, hard work, team work, perseverance, accepting defeat but not giving up and these qualities build up your Character which will ultimately define your life and career,” he said.
The young athletes also displayed a drill on seven disciplines of Sports. The function was also attended by Commissioner & Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, Dr Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Information and Public Relations, M War Nongbri and Director, Sports & Youth Affairs, W Booth.
