Stadium design lacks uniformity in blocks, seating areas, roof covers: Conrad
Shillong, June 2: Ahead of the Shillong Sports Association (SSA) Football League season, chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday inspected the ongoing drainage work at SSA ground and assured it to be completed soon even as he underlined the need for a larger infrastructure development plan for the stadium.
“Drainage work is under way to ensure smooth water flow. There were some earlier issues which caused delays in execution, but we are now working to resolve those problems and ensure the project is completed at the earliest,” Sangma said.
As the SSA Football League involving over 100 participating clubs is about to begin, the chief minister stressed the urgency of finishing the work without further changes to the schedule.
“We’ve called in the entire Sports Department, including engineers and the contractor, to ensure timely completion. They have committed to finishing the work within eight to nine days, after which matches can begin,” he added.
The chief minister, who conducted the visit following a request from SSA, highlighted the need for a long-term infrastructure plan for the stadium.
“This is a very important stadium—it is the heart of football in Shillong, and all clubs play here. The SSA has requested a master plan to improve the gallery, overall look, and facilities. We aim to develop the stadium in a phased manner.”
Sangma mentioned that the site could potentially serve as a venue for the upcoming National Games, making the need for upgraded facilities even more pressing.
Reflecting on the challenges, he pointed out that the stadium had remained unused for seven years and was only reopened in 2022–23.
“What we inherited had several problems. The design lacks uniformity – each block and seating area looks different, and even the roof covers vary. It doesn’t resemble a properly planned stadium,” he said.
He explained that improving the site would be challenging as it is a brownfield project, not a new one, meaning there are limitations due to existing structures. “We are restricted by constraints, but we’ll do our best to improve the overall system,” Sangma assured.
The chief minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to both short-term fixes and long-term development of the SSA Ground, ensuring it serves as a top-tier venue for football in the region.
