Shillong, Jan 4: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, inaugurated the new synthetic athletic track and artificial football ground at the Sports Authority of India Training Centre on the NEHU campus here today.
He also formally opened the new girls’ hostel. Rijiju was then scheduled to launch the new avatar of the Assam Rifles Public School in Laitkor, which has been converted into a dedicated sports school under the Khelo India scheme.
Addressing the gathering at NEHU, Rijiju announced that the centre will also act as a high altitude training camp for athletes.
Stating that the development of sports has recently been added as a priority subject of the North Eastern Council’s, the minister urged Meghalaya’s youth to approach the NEC in this regard in order to develop athletes in the state.
This SAI Training Centre has the potential to become a centre of excellence in the country, he added.
In a post on social media Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who was not at the function, thanked Rijiju for his “leadership in upgrading sports infra in Meghalaya and promoting sporting excellence in the North East”.
(Photo: Kiren Rijiju/Facebook)
