Shillong, Jul 24: Residents of Nongkynrih locality under Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong have expressed dismay over the futsal ground at Shillong Public School being handed over to a private entity, alleging it has denied students access to the facility.
“Since the futsal ground was opened to the public we the residents of the locality often faced nightly disturbances. There are often loud noises and commotion by individuals sitting in vehicles late into the night near the futsal ground,” residents stated.
They also claimed that the gate to Shillong Public School and the Directorate of School Education and Literacy, which earlier closed at 9 pm, is now open through the night, making the area unsafe for pedestrians.
The residents also questioned how the state government could allow a public facility to be used for commercial purposes, and said the Dorbar Shnong was not informed that the ground would be commercialised.
They added that instead of promoting sports for students, commercialisation has raised doubts about the state’s commitment to boosting physical activities for children.
The issue was earlier raised by parents of Shillong Public School students who protested in June 2026 against the commercialisation and restricted access. Following that, students were allowed to use the ground in batches.
The Shillong Public School futsal ground, named the SPS Tynrai Football Arena, was inaugurated on May 14, 2026, built in partnership with the Tynrai Academy to boost football.
