Sonowal asks Meghalaya to finish work for smooth Games

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed sports authorities here to complete all the necessary work by December 15 for the smooth conduct of the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) in February next year.
The Minister was here to inaugurate the Games office and reviewed the preparedness of the State capital, which will co-host the tournament with Guwahati.
"The state sports authorities have been directed to handover charge of all sports infrastructure in all five venues in the state capital for the smooth conduct of the 12th South Asian Games," Sonowal told PTI.
He also said he had a fruitful review meeting with the State Sports Minister Zenith M Sangma, Chief Secretary P B O Warjri and top sports officials.

The Centre has allocated Rs 60 crore budget for the conduct of the Games, Rs 20 crore for the preparation and Rs 92 lakh has already been released to Meghalaya as per requirement for improvement of infrastructure, Sonowal said.
The Minister remained non-committal to a proposal to have a separate inauguration of the Meghalaya-leg of the SAG.

He, however, directed the state sports authorities to send a formal proposal for the same if it could be accommodated within the budget.
Seven out of 23 sports disciplines will be held here even as work is on progress in four out of five venues finalised, a senior state sports official said.

As far as security is concerned, both Assam and Meghalaya police have indicated that extra funds will be required.
Both the states have been directed to keep the Ministry of Home Affairs also in the loop.
A Union Sports Ministry official informed that both states could make use of the 4000 plus cameras lying with the MHA for security-related requirement.