Shillong, Jan 12: A new athletics stadium, named after Garo freedom fighter Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma, was inaugurated today in Tura.
Built at a cost of Rs 16.02 crore, the project was sanctioned in 2020-21.
The eight-lane synthetic track is ready to hold events at the upcoming 5th Meghalaya Games, which will begin on 15th January, an official press release stated today. Bizarrely, the same press release also stated that the stadium has already “successfully hosted” the North East Olympics, which is untrue.
The stadium was opened by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in the presence of Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri, Speaker of the Assembly Thomas A Sangma and others.
“In the past year, Meghalaya’s athletes have brought numerous accolades, a testament to the immense potential this region holds,” the CM was quoted as saying.
He and Warjri also repeated what they usually talk about at such functions, such as the government’s investment of Rs 500 crore (planned and actual) in 200 sports infrastructure projects, the target of having a Meghalayan take part in the Olympic Games by 2032, the STAR athlete identification and training programme, etc.
(Photo: Conrad K Sangma/Facebook)
