World Class Football Stadia in Meghalaya Soon

Shillong, Aug 24 : With the aim to tap the potential of youth in football - the most popular game in the state - the Meghalaya government has decided to prepare world class football stadia in the state.

"The government is planning to construct at least four international standard football stadia in the New Shillong Township (NST)," sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma said.

Zenith added that proposed stadia would be constructed as per specifications of the Federation Internationale de Football Association.

"This will provide the much-needed boost to young talented footballers of the state. The government's objective is to promote the game as it will create avenues of employment for the youths," the minister said.

Admitting that the sports infrastructure in Meghalaya is inadequate, Zenith said the government was willing to construct sports infrastructure at NST at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore, adding that the project was awaiting sanction of the Union ministry of sports and youth affairs. He added that the government proposed to construct artificial turfs at Mawlai, Jowai and in Ampati and two such turfs in Shillong.