Shillong, Apr 25: Meghalaya and France could work closely together in the field of sports, with the two sides starting to explore that possibility.
A meeting was held here yesterday between the visiting Chargé de Mission of the Consulate General of France in Kolkata, Samuel Bouchard, Sports and Youth Affairs Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar D and Meghalaya State Olympic Association working president John F Kharshiing to explore stronger ties between France and Meghalaya through sports training, coaching, talent identification, sports tourism, etc.
In a statement, Kharshiing said that the meeting was “very positive” as Bouchard expressed interest in a number of possibilities for joint collaboration in talent identification, training and coaching in a few disciplines, such as athletics, archery, aquatics, basketball, badminton, boxing, judo, football, gymnastics, shooting, weightlifting in preparation for the upcoming National Games to be hosted by Meghalaya in 2026.
Bouchard reportedly expressed particular interest in the talent identification and elite pathway programmes for selected athletes in the state and expressed interest in supporting these efforts to enable a wide impact, especially in rural schools.
The possibility was also discussed of a joint delegation from the MSOA and state government to visit France “for more in-depth discussions on the collaboration scope for the few sports at the regional level in France.”
A draft framework of objectives for joint collaboration on sports will be prepared and submitted to the state government for further discussions with the French authorities, Kharshiing added.
(Photo contributed)
