The Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) has expressed its happiness with results of the talent identification programme it has been conducting in Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills.
In a release today, MSOA working president John F Kharshiing said that, after nine days travelling around Garo Hills, “the testing team has found a number of hidden, exceptional talents comparable to elite international athletes of Australia.”
The programme is being implemented by Edge10 under the supervision of Ian Campbell, a former Australian Olympian, and is being supported by the state government.
Six girls and 10 boys from the ages of 13 to 17 were identified with “exceptional” speed and performances in four standardised tests – 20m sprint, 10m ladder run, compass drill and vertical jump – in Garo Hills. Another three – two boys and one girl – were shortlisted from SWKH.
Others were promising enough that Campbell feels they should be coached and monitored for up to six weeks and then have their progress reviewed.
The Mawkyrwat test in South West Khasi Hills was held on July 9.
The testing team will now visit the other districts in Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills – July 20 in Mairang, July 21 Nongstoiñ, July 22 Nongpoh, July 23 Jowai, July 25 Khliehriat and July 26-29 Shillong.
After all the tests are conducted in the 12 districts of Meghalaya, Edge10 will submit an analysis report to the MSOA and state government indicating the names of the performers with highest potential and its recommendations.
