Khliehriat, Oct 13: Ratacherra got a new futsal or mini football ground under the District Mineral Fund (DMF).
Funds under the DMF started to be distributed in 2024, initially in the East Jaintia Hills district headquarters of Khliehriat but has now spread to other more remote areas, such as Saipung, Sohkymphor and Mukhaialong.
One more such futsal ground was inaugurated today at Ratacherra by Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, other officials and locals.
Shylla, while speaking on the menace of drugs in the society, stated that one of the primary objectives of the futsal grounds initiated through the DMF in different locations across East Jaintia Hills is to engage citizens, particularly the youth, in sporting activities in order to enable them to avoid negative temptations even as she urged upon parents to encourage their children to take up sports in the interest of their physical and mental well-being.
Shylla informed that the project for construction of the retaining wall near the futsal playground, estimated to cost Rs 15 lakh, is also being initiated, the construction of which will lend stability to the sporting infrastructure. She also announced that Umkiang village is next in line for a futsal ground.
