Altogether 231 Sports Achievers of 2017-2018 across sports disciplines who represented the state and the country in the zonal, national and international platforms were today felicitated by the government.
The felicitation programme was held at U Soso Tham auditorium, which was attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh and Commissioner & Secretary Dr Vijay Kumar.
During the programme the chief minister also launched the Cash Award Scheme by distributing a total of Rs 81.04 lakhs to the 231 sportspersons, out of which 73 were for Olympic sports disciplines and 158 for non-Olympic sports discipline amounting to Rs 66, 96,250.
Addressing the gathering Sangma said that the felicitation program is a way of thanking the sportspersons for their achievements with whatever level of support that they received from different individuals or organizations or government.
“This is a token of appreciation for the hard work that has been put in by you and for the laurels and the different medals that you have won for yourself and the Association representing the state also,” he said. He added that the government understands the challenges faced by the sportspersons and also acknowledges the opportunities that are in Sports and the need to do more to be able to promote and give the opportunity to excel.
He also said that there are large policy matters that need to be addressed and large areas of infrastructure requirements to be put in place.
“I’m happy to inform you that the Sports Policy of the State government has tried to address all the concerns,” he added. The Chief Minister also urged the young sportspersons to develop Sports culture and to imbibe the important values instilled by Sports in one’s daily life.
