Shillong, Mar 16: The Meghalaya government on Monday announced that all “major sporting events” in the state will have to be put on hold to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
At the time of reporting no cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Meghalaya, or the North East for that matter, so this restriction is purely precautionary and follows on from those adopted by other states.
The Health & Family Welfare Department notification, however, doesn’t make clear what a “major sporting event” actually is. Nevertheless, reaction to the notification has followed with the final of the Mawten Invitation Football Tournament in rural South West Khasi Hills, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, being postponed by the organisers this evening. Also, trials to be conducted by Punjab FC (formerly Minerva Punjab) in Shillong, scheduled for Tuesday, have also been cancelled.
The All India Football Federation also announced that all competitions under its watch would be postponed from last Sunday, including the I-League, Youth Leagues, Baby Leagues and coaching courses. The AIFF had announced earlier that next month’s Santosh Trophy final round in Mizoram was to be postponed as well.
Meanwhile, in cricket, Meghalaya were supposed to take part in the U-19 Women’s T20 Trophy at the end of this month, but this has also been postponed by the BCCI.
Don’t panic, but stay safe, everyone.
