Tura, Feb 11: In a major boost to youth sports in Tura, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the Nokrek Skate Park at Tura Government College under the Sports Infrastructure Development initiative, aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure and youth engagement in West Garo Hills.
The skate park has been developed as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Decathlon and implemented by OneStage in collaboration with Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE). The facility seeks to promote alternative sports and provide a dedicated recreational space for young people in the region, particularly skateboarding enthusiasts from Tura and surrounding areas.
Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome song by students of Tura Government College. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal and Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma were present, along with officials of the district administration, faculty members, students, and representatives of Decathlon and partner organisations.
In his address, the Chief Minister acknowledged the efforts of Tura Government College, local stakeholders, and partner organisations in the successful completion of the project.
Recalling that he had laid the foundation stone nearly a year ago, he said, “There is satisfaction in seeing the completion of a project for which the foundation stone has been laid. It gives me pleasure to be present for both occasions.”
Speaking about his approach to governance, the Chief Minister remarked, “I believe in development that we can feel, not merely hear about or see on paper.” He noted that witnessing students use the facility was encouraging and reflected the purpose of such initiatives.
He observed that many young skateboarders practise in public spaces due to the lack of dedicated infrastructure and expressed hope that the new facility would address this need.
Emphasising the importance of providing constructive avenues for youth, he stated, “It is not enough to tell our youth what not to do. We must also provide them with alternatives and create the necessary ecosystem and opportunities for them to pursue their interests.”
The Chief Minister further noted the growing interest in skateboarding across the state and expressed hope that similar infrastructure could be developed in other areas. He also suggested that local and state-level competitions could be organised in the future to encourage participation and talent development.
Representatives from Decathlon reiterated their commitment to supporting grassroots sports development through CSR initiatives, highlighting the importance of partnerships between the government and private stakeholders in expanding access to sports infrastructure.
