SHILLONG: Meghalaya Sports Minister Zenith M Sangma today inspected the proposed venues for hosting the South Asian Games slated to commence from February next year.
The preparations were on in all three venues the NEIGRIHMS Sports Hall, SAI Centre at NEHU Campus and J N Sports Complex at Polo grounds.
Addressing media persons after the inspection, the Sports Minister said, “All preparations are going on in full swing. We are targeting January 15 as the timeframe for completing all preparations works.”
“Taekwondo and Wushu will be hosted at NEIGRIHMS Sports Hall, boxing and badminton in SAI Centre Nehu Campus, while table tennis, judo, archery and women’s football will be held at the JN Complex Polo Ground,” he said.
According to the Minister, of the total Rs 4.91 crore sanctioned for Meghalaya, only Rs 2.16 crore was received while the state is yet to receive the remaining balance of Rs 2.75 crore.
Meanwhile, Zenith also dispelled rumours of Badminton discipline to be shifted to Guwahati instead of Shillong due to reported infrastructure problems at the venue.
“This is just a rumour. I am taking this matter at the political level also. I have discussed with the Union Minister in-charge Sports and necessary assurance has already been given. So I can assure that badminton will have to be held in Shillong only.”
The 12th South Asian Games, which is hosted jointly with Assam government, will see 23 disciplines to be held in the two states from February 5 to 16 next year.
While 16 disciplines will be held mainly in Guwahati, eight disciplines like Badminton, Table-Tennis, Judo, Archery, women’s Football, Boxing, Taekwando and Wushu will take place in Shillong.