Shillong, July 27: With India’s shining scorecard at Olympics 2021 and overall achievements of the discipline improving, national enthusiasm around sports of different kinds have gone up. The sports discipline has been witnessing and gaining befitting attention which was long overdue.
To further contribute to this growing interest, The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs of the Government of Meghalaya, held the Felicitation of Sports Achievers at Regional, Zonal, National and International Level Competitions 2017-2018 & launched a Cash Award Scheme today at the U Soso Tham Auditorium.
The occasion was graced by the august presence of Chief Guest, Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma and Guest of Honour, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Government of Meghalaya Shri Banteidor Lyngdoh. Dr Vijay Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Smti W.A.M. Booth, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Shivansh Avasthi, Under Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs, Members of MSOA and various sporting associations were also present at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad Sangma, emphasized, “Indian sportspersons have been excelling at international arenas. As we engaged with the youth through the Sports program, we found about 7-8 youths among 300-500 participants who met international standards and were in the “Super Elite” category, despite no professional training, diet, even to the extent of some not even having shoes, running bare feet but proving to be just as efficient.
This only shows their immense talent that needs to be recognized, acknowledged, and supported. This program is part of a bigger goal, and so are the many other programs that will focus on different talents from academics to music and many more.
By mid-August we would like to distribute the first set of cheques and will continue to be distributed, to provide funds for the youth to allow them to follow their passion and prosper.
With a youth led population in Meghalaya, the State Government is aligned to build a strong foundation of guidance, support, and resources which will help bring out more hidden stars who can further contribute to this discipline.”
A total of 231 sportspersons from various Olympic and Non-Olympic disciplines were felicitated at the event. Along with the felicitation, a unique Cash Reward Scheme was also launched to recognize the achievements of sportspersons at the Regional,National, International Championships and support sportspersons financially so that requirements for better preparations are met.
The Scheme will encourage sportspersons to work harder for greater achievements in the higher-level competitions like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympics and many others. It will motivate the players to prepare themselves better for selection into national teams to represent the country and prepare them for higher awards meant for international competitions like Asian Games, Commonwealth games, World Championship, etc.
Once the sportspersons get into the National team, more cash awards other than the award being given by the State Government will also be available to sportspersons – Northeastern Council (NEC) Chairman’s Award for Excellence and the amount earmarked are – Olympic Games – 100 lakhs for Gold medal, 50 lakhs for Silver medal and 30 lakhs for Bronze medal.
Cash awards for National Games winners are 30 lakhs for Gold medal, 10 lakhs for Silver medal and 5 lakhs for Bronze medal. Sportspersons of the State can also hope to reap the Cash Awards from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India for achieving excellence at the National Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World championships and the Olympic Games. Coaches of the medal winning athletes in various competitions shall also be eligible for cash awards.
