Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the three-day Rising Sun Water Fest 2022 at Umiam Sports Complex.
The three-day event is being held for the first time under the aegis of Indian Army’s Kolkata based Headquarters Eastern Command.
A total of 22 clubs are participating in rowing and sailing disciplines from across the country. Semi-finals and finals would be conducted over the coming two days.
The organisers said the event is aimed at promoting the spirit of rowing and sailing in the youth of Meghalaya and ensure that more champions emerge from the state in these sports through relentless efforts by the Indian Army, Eastern Command Aquatic Node and the Meghalaya government.
The Indian Army and Eastern Command have taken the initiative in line with the ‘Khelo India’ initiative of the government to promote water sports and to develop the naturally available water body into a state-of-the-art venue for conduct of such events in future.
Speaking during the inaugural address, the chief minister congratulated the organisers and said that a water festival of such magnitude is being organized in the State for the first time. “Meghalaya is blessed with abundant natural beauty in terms of its water bodies. We are blessed with lakes waterfalls and environmental beauty yet we have not been able to take full advantage of it in terms of really allowing people to be part of it and enjoy it and also be able to create tourism opportunities out of it,” he said.
He added that the government has in the last few years in spite of the challenges due to COVID and the brief stall to Tourism activities, has tried to take advantage of such natural assets and create livelihood opportunities for the people of the State while ensuring that Meghalaya becomes one of the most preferred tourist destinations.
He also said that it is the endeavour of the government to make such events an international annual event.
The inaugural function saw a spellbinding display of talent by the artists including Priyanka Bharali, Joana Jamang, Garo and Jaiñtia dances and Indian Idol famed Naib Subedaar Pawan.
