Shillong, Apr 26: A team from the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs is in Haryana to represent Meghalaya in basketball at the 67th National School Games, organised by the School Games Federation of India.
The U-17 boys’ basketball team comprises 12 players and two officials – coach Yolinda Hynniewta and manager Renaldy Jyrwa.
The selection was carried out by the Department through trials held in Shillong on 10th April. All the selected athletes are residents and domiciles of Meghalaya studying in different schools in the state, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs Isawanda Laloo said in a press release today.
Although she did not refer to it, her department may have felt the need to issue the statement after a pressure group complained in the media that many of the team are non-indigenous.
Although the players’ names were not listed, Laloo said that seven are from East Khasi Hills and one each from North Garo Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
(Department of Sports & Youth Affairs photo)
