Shillong, Feb 11: Entrepreneurs will be encouraged to take up subsidies to create National Games 2027 accommodation that will then convert into homestays after the event.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced this concept today. Under the scheme, beneficiaries will receive a 70 per cent subsidy to establish homestays in the form of sports hostels that conform to guidelines for the Games. After the event these homestays will belong to the entrepreneurs to run and operate.
The state government had announced earlier that it will not be creating a Games Village but will instead use the state’s existing hotel and homestay capacity to house athletes.
Games Villages are large and costly to construct. If not put to good use after, they can end up being white elephants and a gigantic waste of money. With Meghalaya looking to spread the National Games 2027 and the thousands of athletes and officials expected around the state, using tourism infrastructure would seem a prudent route to go. This was certainly the option used during the South Asian Games 2016, which were co-hosted by Shillong. However, there were only a handful of disciplines held in the city and fewer demands on accommodation.
“This innovative approach will not only solve the issue of accommodation, especially in places like Tura and Jowai during the Games, but will also create entrepreneurship and livelihoods for our people,” Sangma said.
