DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): The first two day National games outreach summit 2019 hosted by Meghalaya State Olympic Association in collaboration with the Departmen of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya and Alaphra Group was held on November 19 and 20 with objective of bringing all stake holders in a single forum, to discuss common related issues and solutions.
The inaugural address by Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya along with Banteidor Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs was given in presence of the representatives from the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, PSU, Govt. Agencies, Private Corporates, Foundations, athletes, coaches, schools, colleges, university, academies including world renowned Olympians.
The CM announced that the Government Of Meghalaya, has brought in major changes in the approach toward sports and youth development in the state & for the first time a sports policy has been put in place. He also stated that government has been looking at the national games as an opportunity for overall development in various sectors such as sports tourism and other allied sectors. He was positive about the being able to host the national games in 2022.
The Sports Minister, in his speech lauded the performances of the athletes representing the state at National & International Championships and stated that National Games would be a catalyst for them to achieve greater heights in their respective disciplines.
A message was also received from Dr. Narendra Druv Batra, President, Indian Olympic Association, wishing the MSOA and the Government of Meghalaya all success in its endeavour and suggested that such initiatives be conducted on an annual basis so as to achieve the objectives.
The two day event saw 8 panel discussions, ranging from developing champions, equipping athletes, policies, collaboration, infrastructure, involvement of corporates involvements through CSR through sports, sustainable development of community & school through sports program, use of technology in sports.
During the Summit three MoU’s were signed:
The First MoU was signed between YES Bank and Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) represented by Nikhil Sahni, Group President – Government & MNC Corporate Banking and Knowledge Banking & John F Kharshiing, Working, President, MSOA.
Sahni stated that, “YES BANK is pleased to partner with the Meghalaya State Olympic Association for extending its dedicated Sports Banking and Strategic Government advisory services to support development of sports and tourism sectors in the state, with a focus on upcoming National Games 2022 and Summer Olympic Games and said it was heartening to see Sports and Tourism sector thrive in the State of Meghalaya with all the stimulus and support received through progressive measures, which include State Tourism Policy, as well as the recently approved State Sports Policy amongst others.”
The Second MoU was signed between, National Institute of Mountaineering & Allied Sports ( NIMAS), Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India and Meghalaya Sports Climbing and Mountaineering Association (MeSCMA) where in it was agreed both parties would pursue various avenues for co-operation including promotion of adventure tourism & Sports avenue under Meghalaya in collaboration with NIMAS.
The third MoU was signed between Silver Lining Group and Meghalaya Basketball Association sponsorships & allied support. The participants were enriched and benefitted from the views and suggestions that were discussed and suggested by the esteemed panelist& speakers.
The summit also connected the stakeholders the sports association with an insight into how to access CSR supports from Corporates & PSUs, who expressed the need for proper documentation and standard compliances during the submission of CSR proposals.
The summit also addressed various policy advocacies such as state school sports curriculum, green national games, compliance to the UN’s SDG, National Food and Nutritional Policy, Health & Fitness, private sports universities, monitoring talent search through technologies as adopted by medal winning countries, etc.
