SHILLONG, March 2 - Meghalaya Government has proposed to bid for hosting the 2022 National Games.
Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal has said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today that although Meghalaya Government has proposed to bid for the Games, allotment is decided by Indian Olympic Association.
According to a statement here, the Union Minister said that the Central Government is already providing support for creation and development of sports infrastructure in Northeastern States realising the sporting talent of the region.
The Union Ministry has approved for the North East a grant of Rs 87.50 crore for 15 sports infrastructure projects. These include multipurpose halls, astro-turfs for hockey, synthetic athletic tracks, during the period from 2010-11 to 2015-16 and released grant to the tune of Rs 53.25 crore during this period.
Various other projects and schemes are being taken up in the region for the benefit of the sportspersons.
Meanwhile, Tikhor Parks (Games Mascot) would be set up in Guwahati and Shillong to preserve the legacy of the 12th South Asian Games held recently in Guwahati and Shillong.
The Organising Committee of the 12th South Asian Games has earmarked Rs 2 crore for these parks and it has been proposed that these would be set up at Gauhati University and NEHU, Shillong.
