Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated a synthetic artificial turf at Rongrenggre Playground, Williamnagar, East Garo Hills.
In his speech, the Chief Minister said that the new turf will benefit the youth of Williamnagar, noting that 25 similar turfs are under construction across the state, with 35 more to be sanctioned, aiming for a total of more than 50.
‘This is going to be a big boost towards our goal to make Meghalaya the football capital of India’, Sangma stated.
He said that over the past seven years, the government had focused on guiding Meghalaya’s youth through various policies and programs beyond education, declaring, “One of the most valuable assets of this place is our youth, and if we can provide them with good opportunities, we must keep them busy and active so they become productive citizens of the nation.”
The Chief Minister said that the government is working on multiple fronts, including sports. He recalled a 2018 cabinet meeting in Tura where the sports policy was formulated, explaining that development was progressing in sports and that education and talent utilization were crucial for the state’s growth.
Deputy Commissioner R P Marak said that the project which was sanctioned in 2023-24 is a major milestone in strengthening the sporting infrastructure in the region, with the objective of promoting an active lifestyle for the youth.
The key components of the artificial turf are the construction of a VIP rostrum, changing room and other essential amenities, as per international standards. It has undergone vigorous testing before installation to be certified under the FIFA Quality Program for Football Turf, as per FIFA quality standards.
As part of the programme, a mini CM CONNECT interactive session was held wherein officials of allied departments, engaged with the people of Williamnagar.
