Shillong, Dec 11: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the concrete foundation for the construction of the Mawkhanu Football Stadium Complex at New Shillong today morning.
The foundation had been laid “virtually” by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in July while on a visit to the state but today Sangma actually poured the cement. Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla was also on hand for the ceremony.
The state government aims for this stadium, with a capacity of 40,000 seats, to be the biggest designed specifically for football in the entire country. The price tag has been set at Rs 732 crore.
“This stadium shall be the epicentre of Meghalaya’s aspiration to tbe the ‘Football Capital of India’,” Sangma said during the presentation of the state budget in March.
The designers of the complex, Collage Design Pvt Ltd have said that the stadium will incorporate “sustainable measures both environmentally and financially as well as functionality” in its design.
The exterior of the stadium is planned “as a dynamic and modern façade that respectfully complements the skills of the bamboo artisans of the state.”
Although built with football in mind, specifically the hosting of international football matches, the complex will be multipurpose. An indoor facility will contain a swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, squash courts and, besides sports, the complex will also host large concerts and other public gatherings and social events, Collage Design said.
