Shillong, Oct 1: Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said she is keen to help Meghalaya as much as possible in preparing to hold the National Games, which are scheduled to be held in the state in 2022.
Ambani was speaking on the sidelines of the finals of the Shillong leg of the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports girls’ school and boys’ college finals, which were held here today.
Meanwhile, NorthEast United FC co-owner John Abraham said that he has been in talks with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in order to find land for a football academy in Meghalaya.
“I’ve spoken to Conrad and he will help me find land to start an academy in Meghalaya. We want to have these in all seven sister states,” Abraham said. “Grassroots is the most important thing and it would be great to have a centre of excellence or academy in Shillong of world standard.”
With his team set to play their opening Indian Super League 5 match in Guwahati today, Abraham also said that he was “disappointed” with his side’s bottom place performance last year and has no expectations for this year because, he said, “I just want to get out there and play.”
Meanwhile, Ambani said that Reliance Foundation Youth Sports has big ambitions to impact 50 million children in the next 10 years.
“Expansion into the North East is very important because there is so much talent here. We want to work with the government to improve sports and sports in education and with the National Games coming to Meghalaya sports will definitely take centre stage,” Ambani said. “We are ready to work with the Meghalaya government in any way we can for the National Games.”
The Chief Minister also referred to the National Games in his comments, saying that his government looks at is “as a challenge but also as an opportunity to left sports in the state to a new level.”
The girls’ school event was won by Nongkrem Presbyterian Secondary School 2-0 over Nongkrem Higher Secondary School, while Shillong College beat Synod college 6-0 in the boys’ college final. The winning teams will progress to the next stage of the nationwide tournament. You can read about the two finals here.
(TSR photo)
