Williamnagar, May 27 : Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister, today inaugurated a synthetic artificial turf at Rongrenggre Playground, Williamnagar, East Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the new turf will greatly benefit the youth of Williamnagar, noting that 25 similar turfs are under construction across the state, with 35 more to be sanctioned, aiming for a total of more than 50. ‘This is going to be a big boost towards our goal to make Meghalaya the football capital of India’, Sangma stated.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted that over the past seven years, the government had focused on guiding Meghalaya’s youth through various policies and programs beyond education, declaring, “One of the most valuable assets of this place is our youth, and if we can provide them with good opportunities, we must keep them busy and active so they become productive citizens of the nation.”
The Chief Minister noted that the government is working on multiple fronts, including sports, and announced, “In 2027, for the first time, the National Games will be hosted here,” adding that Meghalaya’s sports infrastructure must meet national standards, with the Meghalaya Games also being hosted locally. He recalled a 2018 cabinet meeting in Tura where the sports policy was formulated, explaining that development was progressing in sports and that education and talent utilization were crucial for the state’s growth.
He said, “To showcase these talents, the MGMP was initiated, where individuals can display their skills and are paid for it.”He pointed out that Meghalaya has a significant youth population and stressed the need for a holistic education plan to transform them into responsible citizens, declaring, “The government’s vision is to bring Meghalaya into the top 10 states.” He further noted plans to ensure sufficient doctors by 2033 and the establishment of a professional organization to manage the faculty.
R P Marak, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills, stated that the project which was sanctioned in 2023-24 is a major milestone in strengthening the sporting infrastructure in the region, with the objective of promoting of active lifestyle for the youth.
Notably, the key components of the artificial turf include the construction of a VIP rostrum, changing room and other essential amenities and conforms to international standards. It has underwent vigorous testing before installation to be certified under the FIFA Quality Program for Football Turf which conforms to the FIFA quality standards and expressed that this is a proud moment for the Garo Hills region.
As part of the programme the Chief Minister held a mini-CM CONNECT interactive session where he, along with dignitaries and key official of allied departments, engaged with the people of Williamnagar.
