Shillong, May 14: The foundation stone for a project to set up Ri-Bhoi’s second artificial football turf was unveiled yesterday at Nongsder.
Present on the occasion were Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri, Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare, Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs Dikki D Shira, villages leaders and others.
The project has been sanctioned at a cost of around Rs 10 crore. Wahlang urged that the project be completed by 21st January 2026, which will be the next Meghalaya Day.
The first sanctioned artificial turf in the district is coming up in Umbuda, near Nongpoh. Nongsder’s turf will be the first in Eastern Ri-Bhoi.
Warjri noted the growing prowess of Ri-Bhoi’s youth as footballers; last year schools from the district won all three state-level Subroto Cup titles and the Ri-Bhoi team also won the Meghalaya Games 2025 boys’ football title and both boys’ and girls’ gold medals in 2024.
As the Sports Minister, he affirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive sporting ecosystem in the state and assured that the turf would be completed within the targeted timeframe.
The Chief Secretary expressed gratitude to the Nongsder village community. The artificial turf will be build with the sanction of Rs 10 crore, which will include proper fencing and infrastructure, and Wahlang encouraged the installation of lights and solar-powered systems, tailored to Ri-Bhoi’s needs, and stressed the importance of utilising the ground effectively upon completion.
He also advised community leaders to develop a revenue model to generate income once the project is finished.
(DIPR photo)
