Tura, November 13: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday announced that a new school building and a stadium would be provided at Bhaitbari in West Garo Hills, as he inaugurated the second edition of the P.A. Sangma Memorial Football Tournament at B.M. Model School Field.
The Chief Minister said the commitment would be taken forward after discussions with government officials and local leaders, following the due procedure.
The tournament, organised in memory of former Lok Sabha Speaker and Chief Minister Purno Agitok Sangma, has been supported by local residents, who contributed Rs 20 lakh towards its organisation.
Sangma thanked the people of Rajabala, particularly former minister Abdus Saleh, for taking the initiative to organise the event. On behalf of his mother and family members, he expressed gratitude to the organisers for keeping the memory of his late father alive.
Recalling P.A. Sangma’s political journey, the Chief Minister said he was told that his father had held his first election meeting at the same venue in 1977, when he contested his first election.
He also spoke about the enthusiasm for football in the area, recalling how Saleh had told him that the school building’s rooftop was damaged not by bad weather but by spectators climbing onto it to watch matches.
The incident, he said, reflected the popularity of football in the region and underlined the need for better facilities for spectators.
Sangma said the state government was working to improve sports infrastructure, with more than 50 artificial turfs being constructed across Meghalaya, including in hilly areas.
He also said the government was building a football stadium in Shillong with a seating capacity of around 40,000.
Speaking about his association with Saleh, the Chief Minister said he shared a close family bond with the former minister, whom he regarded as an uncle.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring balanced development across Meghalaya, saying that all people of the state were his responsibility.
The Chief Minister also urged residents to share their grievances and suggestions through the CM Connect helpline, 1971. He said calls received through the service were monitored by officials and could also be heard by him personally for necessary follow-up.
EOM
