The Central government will provide financial assistance of Rs 170 crore to Meghalaya to develop the required infrastructures to host the 39th National Games 2022, State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh informed on November 12th, 2019
The Minister further informed that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment decided to reduce the amount to Rs 170 crore only based on the conditions and requirement of funds with the ministry. The Ministry was earlier expected to fund Rs 300 crore to the state to construct stadiums ahead of the big event.
It may be mentioned that Meghalaya will be the third Northeastern state, after Manipur and Assam, to host the National Games.
In August Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju and sought for financial assistance for conducting the National Games and also showed a presentation of the infrastructural requirement. Sangma was hopeful that all the necessary logistics and requirements to conduct the games would be completed within the stipulated timeline.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya government on September 5th, 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited for the development of necessary facilities and infrastructure for the National Games 2022.
The event will coincide with the 50th year of the state’s creation.
Photo credit: thesportsroom.com
