SHILLONG, DEC 22: Meghalaya sports & youths affair minister Zenith Sangma inspected the preparation for co-hosting the 12th South Asian Games that will kick start in February 2016 and said he was satisfied with the preparation taking places in Shillong.
NEIGRIHMS Sports Hall, SAI Centre, NEHU campus and JN complex in Polo will be hosting some of the events of the international games.
“Preparations are in good progress and going on in full swing. We are targeting January 15 as the timeframe for completing the preparations for this prestigious event,” Sangma told reporters on Tuesday. He also announced that the state government will also ensure there are enough infrastructures in place by 2022 for Meghalaya to be able to host other national games in the state.
The 12th South Asian Games, which is hosted jointly with Assam government, will see 23 disciplines being played in the two states – Assam and Meghalaya- from February 5 to 16, 2016.
While 16 disciplines will be held in Guwahati, eight disciplines like – Badminton, Table-Tennis, Judo, Archery, Women’s Football, Boxing, Taekwando and Wushu will take place in Shillong.
According to officials, the event is also expected to host over 1000 people including sports-persons, officials, game officials.
Sangma said, “We are proposing Taekwondo and Wushu at NEIGRIHMS Sports Hall, boxing and badminton in SAI Centre Nehu Campus, while table tennis, judo, archery and women’s football in JN Complex Polo Ground.”
Informing that a total of Rs 4.91 crore was sanctioned for Meghalaya, he said, “However we have received around Rs 2.16 crore while the remaining balance amount of Rs 2.75 crore is yet to reach us.”
Earlier, the state police had proposed Rs 7 crore for the purpose of ensuring adequate security cover during the event to be held in the state.
When asked, Sangma, however, informed, “This is a separate issue and that is the requirement sought by the police department and the matter has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).”
Responding to the security aspect, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the 12th South Asian Games, Meghalaya RK Sharma said, “The government of Meghalaya and Games Secretariat assured full-proof security as we also have many guests coming from abroad,” adding “We are confident in delivering the games with all the things in place.”
Sangma also assured that the event is going to be ‘corruption free’ and will be conducted in a transparent manner. Adding to this Sharma informed while most of the procurements is being made from Guwahati the portals in the state are already functioning.
“Most of the tenders are there on the portals and we are in touch with the public directly on queries of whatever expenditure and tenders… I don’t think that there can be transparency much more than that… the information is open and anybody can ask us question,” Sharma added.
Sangma also dispelled rumours by assuring that Badminton discipline will be held in Shillong. He was reacting to rumours that Badminton may be held in Guwahati due to problem of infrastructure in Shillong alleging that it failed to meet the required standard.
Sangma said, “This is just rumours. I am taking this matter at the political level also. I have discussed with the Union Minister in-charge Sports and necessary assurance has already been given. So I can assure that badminton will have to be held in Shillong only.”-By Our Reporter
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