Is the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) planning to hold the 39th National Games in Meghalaya in 2023 instead of 2022?
Meghalaya was granted to host the 39th National Games in 2022, the year when Meghalaya will also celebrate its golden jubilee of statehood.
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But doubts persist that Meghalaya may not be able to host the games in 2022 in view of the slow progress of works for building new sports infrastructure for hosting the games in the next two years.
The IOA has also shown on its website that Uttarakhand will host the 38th National Games in 2022 and Meghalaya will host the 39th National Games in 2023.
To a query, IOA’s Coordination and Games Technical Conduct Committee chairman Raj Kumar Sacheti expressed confidence that the National Games in Meghalaya would take place in October-November, 2022.
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Also read: Meghalaya: National Games committee inspects sports infrastructure site
When asked if any magic can happen that Meghalaya would be able to complete massive sports infrastructure within two years for hosting the games in 2022, Sacheti said, “What is the word magic? Why you need a miracle? To decide something, how much time does it take? You need a miracle when you go beyond the timeline.”
“If you have the willpower if you decide to do it, how much time does it take? We have two-and-half years and with these timelines, they have prepared all the tender documents and if the bidding documents are out, then major construction works will start in June and we can achieve the target,” said Sacheti.
Also read: Meghalaya ready for 2022 National Games: Conrad Sangma
“We are confident that they are fully prepared, and the games can happen in October-November, 2022,” Sacheti added.
Sacheti, who visited the sites at Umsawli for building sports infrastructure – stadium and games village – also held a meeting at the State Secretariat on Thursday evening with Meghalaya sports minister Banteidor Lyngdoh.
The meeting was also attended by Meghalaya state sports officials and representatives of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association.