Sports minister Warjri flags off torch relay for Meghalaya Games

Shillong: State minister for sports and youth affairs Shakliar Warjri on Tuesday flagged off the torch relay for the 5th Meghalaya Games at the SSA Stadium in Shillong. The event is scheduled to be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu in Tura of West Garo Hills district on January 15.Warjri expressed his happiness to start the relay by lighting the torch, before handing it over to the organisers. He also extended his best wishes to all the athletes who would participate in the mega event. “The government is committed to ensure the success of this event. Through this platform the government hopes that some of the athletes will shine in their respective disciplines and we are looking forward that in the future they will participate at the national and the international levels, like the Olympics,” the sports minister said.He also emphasised that the primary goal of the government was to provide a “constructive platform for athletes and encourage them to pursue sports as a career, rather than just a hobby”. The minister underscored the role of sports in preventing the youth from falling prey to drug menace, which has been an issue of growing concern in the state.“Besides being a sporting event, the games will also serve as a crucial platform for youth empowerment and career development,” he said. “As the torch makes its way to Tura, there’s great anticipation regarding the games,” Warjri said.A total of 3,000 athletes will be competing across 22 disciplines. Traditional games of the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities have been included and Rs 23-crore fund has been allocated by the state government for the games.

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