Shillong, April 29: In order to overcome shortage of accommodation facilities for the National Games events to be held in Jowai and Tura, the government has decided to offer up to 75% subsidy for setting up boutique hotels.
Informing after a meeting of National Games Secretariat Society (NGSS) on Wednesday, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Wednesday said, “Venue construction is on track, but accommodation remains a challenge in Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills.
To address the issue, he said, the government has a plan and that it has already launched the “scheme from Tourism for boutique hotels in Tura and Jowai, where almost 72-75% subsidy will be given from the government.”
Shylla said Meghalaya will emerge as a “successful host” and will “perform well” in the Games.
Meanwhile, the NGSS has decided to expand its membership for better coordination among the departments.
The Society has no representation from Tourism, Health, Transport and Information & Public Relations, he said.
The Games is not only related to Sports department, but the whole state machinery will be involved, he said.
On the decision to subsidise boutique hotels, he said the government does not want to create any infrastructure that would be challenging to maintain it after the National Games.
“That is why we take this opportunity to also promote tourism at the same time and we give opportunity to locals, who want to set up these boutique hotels.”
The minister made it clear that the state is not waiting for any central fund for the preparation, saying, “We are not taking anything for granted… we are fully prepared… we are going all out with the state fund for any kind of construction.”
He informed that the Union Sports Ministry has already given positive reviews after visiting the sites.
State officials also briefed the Sports Ministry on the preparation last month, he said.
Expressing confidence in hosting the Games successfully, he said, “I am quite confident that with the kind of support we are getting from the chief minister and other departments, we will be able to run this National Games smoothly and make it a memorable one.”
On athlete performance, Shylla said, “We really desire it is not just to host the Games. We also want our athletes and players to perform well.”
He mentioned about the Meghalaya Outstanding Direct Appointment Policy under which any medal winner in the National Games will get a government job from next year onwards.
“It is a huge encouragement for the athletes and players and their parents for their support,” he said.
Shylla said decentralizing funds to associations had already shown results.
“From last year itself we have released Rs 39 crore for team preparation… because of these initiatives I would say that is why in the recently concluded India Khelo Games, the performance of Meghalaya was tremendous. Last year, Meghalaya’s rank in the India Khelo Tribal Games was 29 but this year, we finished at 13 rank.”
“We will continue to work hard and we will continue to support the athletes and I am sure next year, we will end at top 5 and hopefully we will be on the top,” he said.
