Zenith lays foundation for mini football ground at Babadam

From a Correspondent

Tura, Aug 20: Meghalaya sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a mini football stadium at Babadam about 28 km from here in West Garo Hills.

He was accompanied by forest and environment minsiter Clement Marak, North Tura MLA Noverfield Marak and a host of other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, the sports minister said that the work for construction of the mini football stadium gallery and VIP rostrum will start as soon as monsoon season subsides.

He expressed hope that these facilities would nurture some of the best sports persons and football players. “The region has immese love and passion for the game and such facilities at the grassroots will motivate our players”, he said.

He informed that this is an initiative to uplift the infrastructure at the grassroot level as well as to develop skills of football enthusiast and groom promising young footballers for the state and country as a whole.

Environment minister Marak said mission football will revolutionise football in the state and the youth should take advantageof the opportunity provided by the state government.

Director sports and youth affairs department Matsidor War Nongbri informed that the stadium is being constructed at an estimated cost of 55 lakh. “The government of Meghalaya strives to promote sports throughout the length and breadth of the state and promote various sporting events especially the game of football and is focused on creating conducive environment for footballers by providing necessary sporting infrastructure and other facilities for development of sports and sport persons in the region”.

Later, Sangma and other dignitaries unveiled the plaque for Ranggira Rural Resort (Nokachik) situated at Kemragre Vilage in the periphery of Ranggira range. The resort has been constructed by Tura Adventure Club, Tura at a cost of Rs. 2.5 lakhs which was sponsored by North Tura, MLA, Noverfield R Marak.