Shillong: The UDP MLA from Mawphlang constituency, Eugeneson Lyngdoh raised several questions in the Assembly with regards to the sports policy of the State and also on the process of training the athletes of the State for participation in the National Games and others.
Furthermore, Lyngdoh also posed a question to the State Government on whether the State is ready to hand over to the different sports associations the sports venues such as the indoor and outdoor stadiums of the State to be used as training venues.
Another question posed by Lyngdoh is on the information till date of how many young athletes of the State,irrespective of whether they are national or international level athletes,have benefitted from job reservation through the sports quota and what is the percentage of reservation in sports quota.
With regard to the funds allocation, Lyngdoh posed a question on whether the Government through the Sports Department has a special allocation to be distributed to every sports associations and lastly the question was on whether the Government has in operation a scholarship programme for talented students and well established young athletes and those that are beginning to shine in different sports tournaments in the national and international arena.
Responding to these questions, the Minister incharge of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Banteidor Lyngdoh said that with regard to the preparation of athletes, the Government has already held a meeting with the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, with regard to the handing over of sports venues to sports associations, the Minister expressed that at present the process for this will have to be started and on this matter, the Government will have to meet and deliberate.
With regards to the job reservation for the athletes, the Minister added that for this matter, the department is awaiting the response from the MPSC, while for the financial contribution to sports associations, the Minister said that from time to time, the Government does extend support and financial assistance to the different sports associations, and on the matter of a scholarship for rising and established young athletes of the states, the Minister said that the State Government has already allocated a cash package of Rs 1 crore 2 lakhs and 45 thousand which will be prepared for distribution to 264 young athletes who have won medals in different tournaments at the regional, national level and added further to that is the allocation through the District Sports Promotion Scheme.
