Senior members of the Shillong Sports Association (SSA), led by its new president, Banteidor Lyngdoh MLA, conducted a joint inspection of the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today with the Chief Engineer of the State Sports Council of Meghalaya (SSCM) and contractor specifically to look at the problem of waterlogging in the new pitch.
Drainage at the ground has been an issue ever since the new artificial turf was laid last year. The Meghalaya government, through the SSCM, had stepped in to provide the new artificial surface after the attempt to lay natural grass in 2017 experienced even worse waterlogging.
However, the plan to channel water through a new drain on the road running parallel to the stadium has hit a stumbling block and now other options are being explored.
Given the incessant rain Shillong has witnessed over the last few days, First Ground was at its soggiest today, which gave the inspection team a better understanding of the problem.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Lyngdoh said that the SSA is “not 100 percent happy” and that is why the joint inspection was held. Nevertheless, he was at pains to seem not too disappointed and said that the SSA wants to work in conjunction with the SSCM and contractor to find a solution.
The SSA’s 2024 football calendar is set to begin soon with the U-20 Fourth Division and the association is eager that no matches are forced to be postponed by the waterlogging.
Lyngdoh said that the SSCM and contractor have promised to improve the drainage soon.
Meanwhile, he also said that an estimate will be prepared in due course for a new gallery on the southwest side of the ground next to the river and an SSA delegation will take it to the Chief Minister for government sanction.
