Meghalaya State Olympic Association Annual General Meeting held in Shillong

A Reporter

SHILLONG: The Annual General Meeting of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, (MSOA), was held at Saturday, in the Conference Hall of Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong.

The AGM was chaired by Banteidor Lyngdoh, President, MSOA, & Minister Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, in presence of John F Kharshiing, Working President, Chiranjib Choudhury, General Secretary, Vice President, Joint Secretary, President and Secretaries of the affiliated State Sports Associations.

The AGM deliberated and passed the minutes of the last AGM, the Audited Accounts 2016-2017; General Secretary’s report 2016-2017; Budget for 2017-2018; Appointment of Auditor 2017-2018; Annual Sports Calendar for MSOA;

The General Secretary, Chiranjib Choudhury, during the detail presentation on the various agenda’s, including the Annual Sports Calendar of MSOA for Meghalaya Games, 23rd June Olympic Day, Seminar on Sports as a Career, wherein suggestions were made for approaching the Department of Sports to hold the felicitation of the State Medal winners on Olympic Day.

The house also entrusted the Executive Council, MSOA to work out the modalities for ensuring that State Associations present their activities report before the next AGM.

During the meeting in his speech Shri. Banteidor Lyngdoh, President, MSOA & Minister Sports & Youth Affairs, Govt of Meghalaya, stated that the Government of Meghalaya was fully committed towards the successful hosting of the XXXIX (39th) National Games 2022, which would be the Game changer for the youths and people of Meghalaya, and the Meghalaya National Games Organising Committee (Meghalaya NGOC2022), Chaired by the Chief Minister, and with himself as the Deputy Chairman, was actively pursuing the matter to meet its timelines. He also informed that the Land Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya would shortly put up their recommendations on the possible venues for the Games Village and other venues after which the Meghalaya NGOC would take the final call.

On the fund crunch faced by the State Associations since last two years, the Minister informed that the Department of Sports, on taking over the department he has reviewed the situation and the department would shortly be releasing the grant-in-aid to the State Associations and assured that the State Government will ensure continued support to the promotion of sports activities.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Sports Department, and members of the Working Group for its work on progress of the Draft Sports Policy and stated that he understands that the Working Group has had numerous meetings and discussions with Health Dept, on issues such as Sports Medicine and with Education Dept on incentives for students taking up Sports, the urgent need for qualified Physical Instructors, Coaches, in schools,

Colleges, Universities, infrastructure in Educational Institutes, and stated that the draft sports policy and the youth policy which is in public domain, is almost ready to be forwarded to the Government to take a final call.

The President & Minister Sports, thanked John F Kharshiing, Working President, Shri. Chiranjib Choudhury, General Secretary, and all members of the MSOA for their team work to bring about over all change in the approach to Sports through the preparation for National Games and called for a united approach in the interest and prestige of the State.

The Sports Minister informed that his Department is examining the idea for Meghalaya Games and requested the MSOA Executive Council, to put up the proposal so that it could be considered during 2019. He also informed that the State Government is reviewing the incentive of the State Awards to National and International medal winners. On this matter the House suggested that the Department of Sports should consider differentiating the Sports State Awards from Zonal, National and International in Olympic and Non Olympic disciplines as it was unfair to equate Olympic International medal with a Non-Olympic International Medal.

During his address John F Kharshiing, Working President, MSOA, thanked Shri. Banteidor Lyngdoh, President, & Minister Sports, for the consideration of grant-in-aid to the State Associations, as they were under tremendous pressure, and assured that the State Associations are all eager to take things forward to make efforts in producing champions.

In this context he also said that the MSOA is also exploring out of the box options and is discussing with a professional experts to assist MSOA in its mission to support and advice the State Sports Associations towards National Games 2022.

He also informed that the Department of Sports, Team Preparation Committee, Chaired by Director Sports, has been interacting continuously with each State Sports Association since last few months to discuss their respective road map and was hopeful that this interaction and exercise would help in the effective preparation for National Games 2022.

He also informed that till date there was no confirmation as to the 36 edition of the National Games supposed to be held in Goa in November, 2018, and that the IOA would be taking a final call on this matter very soon. The Working President, informed that the MSOA Executive Council, MSOA, will be shortly organizing workshops/ seminars which would benefit the Sports persons and State Sports Associations.