Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the foundation stone for construction of an indoor training stadium in Shillong.
The foundation laying ceremony was also attended by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguli and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acting secretary Amitabh Choudhury.
Informing about the programme on his Twitter handle on Thursday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stated: “Laid foundation stone for indoor training Stadium with Sourav Ganguly. The stadium will facilitate cricket in Meghalaya.”
As per a report published on Thursday by Business Standard the indoor stadium would be constructed at a cost of Rs 5.35 crore with indoor practice facility for cricket and a gymnasium in Shillong.
The project will be funded by the BCCI.
While addressing the members of Meghalaya Cricket Association and cricket lovers on the occasion, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said the State Government has identified land for coming up with a state-of-the-art international standard stadium and develop sports facilities.
The report quoted Chief Minister Conrad Sangma as saying, “We will keep a space for cricket in the games village (to be built for National Games 2022) but we need the support of the BCCI.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Meghalaya CM also said National Games 2022 is important as the State would celebrate 50th year of statehood while the country would also be celebrating 75 years of Independence.
The CM added, “It is a challenge to push sports infrastructure but we will ensure that the games village will be an example for others to follow.”
Addressing the gathering, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly said, “I am happy to be here to be part of the ceremony.”
Ganguly also urged the children to aim high and emerge as someone like former India cricket captain MS Dhoni.
The report quoted Ganguly as saying, “Who would have thought that a small kid from Ranchi would captain the country for over 300 international matches.”
Laid foundation stone for indoor training Stadium with @SGanguly99. The stadium will facilitate cricket in #Meghalaya. pic.twitter.com/jekfNJ2hmv
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 25, 2018
